For the first time as ASUN opponents, a team has won consecutive games in the North Florida-Liberty series following the Flames’ win Friday night in Liberty Arena over the Ospreys, 73-61. With the win Liberty improves to 16-5 overall and 7-2 in conference play with UNF falls to 7-12 overall and 5-4 in the ASUN.
“Really pleased that we got a chance to play,” Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay said. “That was just our third ASUN game at home, our fourth game in 27 days. That long break, I was very concerned about just how sharp we would be. Althought we didn’t execute well some phases of it, we had an urgency about us that was fun to watch. Our selflessness on the offensive end was important to our cause.”
Making his first career start, freshman point guard Drake Dobbs sparked the Liberty offense in the opening minutes. Playing their patented matchup zone, North Florida was unable to keep the Flames in check. Liberty scored its first 10 points in the paint by the first media timeout. UNF head coach Matt Driscoll would switch to man defense after the timeout, and Liberty promptly responded by making 4 of 5 three pointers as the lead grew to double figures.
Liberty’s first nine field goal attempts all came courtesy of an assist as the team shot 63% from the field in the first half and made 7 of 13 first half three point attempts. Blake Preston was able to feast inside the restricted area as he led the team with 10 first half points to go along with 7 rebounds. Elijah Cuffee made his first three three point field goal attempts to score 9 points in the opening half.
The Flames’ stretched the first half lead to as many as 18 points in the final minute of action prior to Carter Hendricksen connecting on a buzzer beater from midcourt to bring the Ospreys within 15 at 45-30 at intermission. Prior to Friday night against UNF, the most points Liberty had scored in the first half of an ASUN game was 36 points against Kennesaw State.
North Florida would stick with the man-to-man defense for majority of the game following the first media timeout of the first half. The Flames would maintain a comfortable lead throughout the second half, leading by as much as 24 at 67-43 with 8:23 to play. The Ospreys would cut within the margin in the closing minutes but never getting the lead to single digits.
Blake Preston would lead Liberty with 14 points and 10 rebounds. It marked his third career double-double, all coming this season, and first since New Year’s Day against Lipscomb. Kyle Rode provided a very productive 11 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds. Senior Elijah Cuffee added 11 points, making 3 of his 4 three point field goal attempts.
“He was incredible tonight, not just in his 8 assists, but in the way he connected our team on both ends of the floor,” McKay said of Rode. “This is who he is. We see it every day in practice. He did a great job.”
Senior point guard Chris Parker, coming off the bench for the first time this season, finished with 5 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist while making just 1 of his 5 field goal attempts. Drake Dobbs tied his career high with 9 points while Keegan McDowell also chipped in 9 points. Following the game, McKay said that Parker didn’t start because he was “late.”
“I think because Chris Parker has earned so much attention for his stellar play, that Drake kinda gets lost in the conversation,” said McKay. “He’s had a really good year. If Chris weren’t playing at such a high level, Drake would be a really good solution for us. I’m really proud of him. That kid’s a winner. He’s been incredibly well coached both at the high school level and the AAU level. He’s a great teammate. He’s really, really a tough young man, and I love what he’s doing for us. He keeps growing in confidence and in his contribution.”
Darius McGhee had an off night shooting the ball, scoring just 5 points while making 1 of 6 field goal attempts and 1 of 5 from three. The 5’9″ guard would add 7 rebounds and 4 assists.
These two will be back in action on Saturday with tip scheduled for 5 p.m. when Liberty will be looking to extend the nation’s 2nd longest home win streak to 34 games.
“Really proud of our group,” McKay said. “That’s 40 minutes in the books, but we better come ready tomorrow. I’ve got a lot of respect for North Florida. They’ve got a system that they really believe in. They have really good players, and Matt Driscoll and his staff do a great job. There is a reason why they are always at the top of this league.”
