The Flames got beat by VCU, 85-57, Sunday evening in Richmond. Here’s our rapid reactions:
- No surprise here. The Rams are good. We are not.
- Coach McKay went with a new starting lineup again, this time inserting Ryan Kemrite into the lineup in place of Caleb Homesley. Kemrite started alongside Lovell Cabbil, John Dawson, Evan Maxwell, and Ryan Hiepler.
- Ryan Kemrite, getting his first start since December 5th against Charleston Southern, had one of his most productive games this season. He would finish with 17 points and 6 rebounds while shooting 7/10 from the floor. It was his 2nd highest scoring performance of the year.
- John Dawson was virtually unheard of in the first half, scoring just 2 points while shooting 1/4 from the field with 3 turnovers and 2 fouls. The Marquette transfer turned it on in the 2nd half though, scoring 12 points while shooting 5/6 from the floor.
- Lovell Cabbil struggled shooting from the floor, finishing 1/5 from the floor for just 2 points, his lowest output of the season. On the bright side, he did finish with a team-high 5 assists.
- Liberty was aggressive in doubling the post as Virginia often does in the packline defense under Coach Bennett. We haven’t seen it at Liberty a lot in the first 13 games this year. It was fairly effective when utilized against the Rams.
- A few noteworthy stats: rebounds – VCU 37, LU 23; points in the paint – VCU 40, LU 22; fast break points – VCU 18, LU 0. Ouch.
- Liberty did win the 2nd half, 41-40! Just a moral victory as the Rams were playing out the stretch after leading 45-16 at halftime.
- At one point in the first half, the VCU television announcers said, “attack Dawson & Maxwell and there’s nothing else there.”
- The Flames were 1/7 from the charity stripe in the first half and finished the game 4/11.
- 10 straight losses now for the Flames who are still seeking its first Division I win of the year.
- Quick turnaround for Liberty who faces Notre Dame Tuesday night in a game that will be played on ESPNU.
