Liberty hits the road for the final time this season as the Flames are in Buies Creek, North Carolina to take on Campbell Sunday at 2pm.
The Flames and Camels are currently tied for 4th place in the Big South standings at 8-7 with just 3 games left to play, but both teams are on different trajectories. Campbell has 4 out of their last 6 games including a loss to Radford Thursday night. Meanwhile, Liberty has won 5 out of 6.
Campbell defeated the Flames, 94-85, on January 23rd in the team’s previous meeting this season. They did so behind a record-setting performance shooting the 3 ball by Chris Clemons and Marcus Burk. This duo combined to make 20 of their 30 three point attempts on the night, with each individual making 10. They combined for 74 of the team’s points as the Flames couldn’t keep up with the hot shooting visitors despite Georgie Pacheco-Ortiz’ 24 points. In the 6 games since, Burk has failed to make 10 three pointers total as he is 8-of-31 from deep since his trip to the Vines Center.
Sunday’s winner will have a leg up on attempting to catch Radford for 3rd place in the Big South as the Highlanders are currently one game ahead of each at 9-6. If the Flames win their final 3 regular season contests, Liberty will clinch the 3rd seed in the Big South Tournament as it would own the tiebreaker with the Highlanders due to sweeping the season series with Winthrop. Spots 3-8 are still wide open as just 3 games separate these slots. The top 6 regular season finishers will receive a first round bye in the tournament.
