The Liberty Lady Flames picked up two wins on the road last week, to improve to 15-14 overall and 10-4 in CUSA play. The Flames have now won a season-best five games and nine victories in its last 10 outings. The Lady Flames remain in a second place tie with FIU entering the final week of the regular season. Here’s a recap from the last week as well as a look at this week’s schedule that includes a huge showdown with undefeated Middle Tennessee at Liberty Arena Wednesday night:
W, 60-56 @ New Mexico State, Feb. 29
Liberty’s Emma Hess scored 24 of her 26 points after halftime, leading the Lady Flames to a come-from-behind 60-56 win over New Mexico State, Thursday evening at the Pan American Center. The Lady Flames, who also got 16 points and eight rebounds from Bella Smuda, completed a season sweep of fellow CUSA newcomer New Mexico State.
New Mexico State dropped its third straight contest, all of which have been by 10 points or fewer. New Mexico State led 29-23 at the half but shot just 5-of-13 (38.5 percent) at the foul line following the intermission.
Hess, who was held scoreless during Liberty’s 69-53 home win over New Mexico State on Feb. 1, recorded the highest-scoring half by a Lady Flame since Nov. 20, 2006. That day, fellow Legacy Christian Academy graduate Megan Frazee went off for 31 second-half points in a 75-71 win at Virginia. Hess connected on three triples during Thursday’s victory, enabling the junior guard to tie the Liberty single-season record of 64. She now co-holds the mark with Cynthia Thomson (1989-90) and Emily Lytle (2018-19).
W, 80-63 @ UTEP, Mar. 2
After her team fell behind by 12 early on, Liberty’s Asia Boone (career-high 25 points) spearheaded a successful comeback. The Lady Flames went on to post an 80-63 win over UTEP, Saturday afternoon at the Don Haskins Center. Liberty, which has now recorded 10+ conference victories for 25 consecutive seasons, equaled a season high with 11 triples and recorded a season-best +29 rebound margin.
UTEP, which led 21-9 after the first quarter, falls to 11-17 overall and 6-9 in CUSA with its second loss to the Lady Flames this season. Jane Asinde posted 18 points and nine boards for the Miners, but UTEP yielded 19 offensive boards and 20 second-chance points.
The first of Emma Hess’s three triples on the afternoon, coming at 5:01 of the second period, gave her a Liberty-record 65 three-pointers this season. The previous mark of 64 was set by Cynthia Thomson in 1989-90 and matched by Emily Lytle in 2018-19.
Upcoming schedule
3/6 vs Middle Tennessee, 7pm, ESPN+
3/9 @ Western Kentucky, 3pm, ESPN+
CUSA Standings
Middle Tennessee…14-0
FIU……………………….10-4
Liberty…………………10-4
LA Tech……………….6-8
Western Kentucky…6-9
Jax State………………6-9
UTEP……………………..6-9
New Mexico State…5-10
Sam Houston………..2-12
