Our thoughts following the Flames’ overtime loss to UNC-Wilmington on Wednesday night:

  1. At least our RPI didn’t drop! Still holding steady at 350 or 351 depending on what site you look at. Liberty’s 2 Division I wins came against #345 Delaware, who is 0-7 against DI competition, and #247 Furman.
  2. The overtime loss isn’t really that bad considering TeamRankings.com gave the Flames just a 4% chance of winning the game. Hey, we’re looking for moral victories here.
  3. When Joe Retic fouled out at the end of regulation, it all but sealed Liberty’s fate. With Tomasz Gielo out, there’s not much offense left on the team. Retic’s career-high 18 points led the way last night. Gielo is expected out until at least mid-January, while he’s out, Retic and Peter Moller have to stay on the court and put the ball in the basket.
  4. So, how exactly do you have just 4 guys on the floor coming out of a timeout at the end of the first half? Layer told Chris Lang of the News & Advance after the game that it was a miscommunication. LU would give up a 3 to the Seahawks as time expired. Then the blunder at the end of regulation that led to Retic fouling out. 2 critical “miscommunication” plays that cost the Flames in a tight game.
  5. 16 turnovers and 12/23 shooting from the free throw line. How this game even got to overtime is beyond me.
  6. Drew Smith continues to put up monster rebounding numbers. The senior forward finished the game with 14 boards. He also added 8 points. Liberty could really use some offensive production out of him until Tomasz returns.
  7. Liberty faces their 3rd of 4 non-Division I teams on Friday when they host Central Penn.