The Liberty Flames (13-5, 4-1) and Central Arkansas Bears (6-12, 1-4) will meet Saturday night at Liberty Arena in Lynchburg, Virginia.

UCA had lost eight straight games, including their first four games of ASUN play. Head coach Anthony Boone and his team put that skid to a halt on Thursday against Queens, picking up the win, 92-91.

The Bears are led by standout sophomore Camren Hunter. The 6’3″ guard leads the team in scoring (17.3), assists (3.8), and steals (1.3). Hunter scored 33 points in the team’s win at Queens on Thursday night. Hunter started all 30 games last season as a true freshman and was named the conference’s freshman of the year and first-team all-conference.

Here’s everything you need to know for Saturday’s matchup:

How to Watch – Liberty Flames (13-5, 4-1) vs Central Arkansas (6-12, 1-4)

  • Date: Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023
  • Start Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • TV: ESPN+
  • Online Streaming: Watch ESPN
  • Radio (Lynchburg): LFSN Radio (107.5 FM)

Odds and Statistics

  • KenPom currently gives Liberty a 97 percent chance to win the game with a predicted score of 82-61.
  • ESPN’s Basketball Power Index currently gives Liberty a 98.2 percent chance to win the game.

Previous Matchup

  • Liberty leads the all-time series, 1-0.
  • The Flames defeated the Bears, 85-66, in the only previous meeting between the two programs which came last season on Feb. 21. Darius McGhee led the team in scoring with 34 points.

Probable Starters

Stat Leaders (2022 Season)

Liberty:

  • Points: Darius McGhee – 20.8 PPG
  • Rebounds: Joseph Venzant – 5.2 RPG
  • Assists: Kyle Rode – 4.0 APG

Ritchie McKay Press Conference Pre-Central Arkansas