Liberty (23-7, 14-3) picked up a win over Queens (17-13, 7-10), 85-77, on Wednesday night in the first of two straight meetings against each other.
“I thought we had a really good response in the second half,” said Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay. “We didn’t look like ourselves for a segment of the first half, that was a little disappointing. Typical for this group though, they will eventually get it right. Queens had a lot to do with how we looked. They have a good system and really good players. I’m very complimentary of Grant and his staff. To do what they’ve done in year one is unique.”
The Royals gave Liberty everything they wanted in the first half, taking a 36-32 lead into the locker room at intermission. The Flames would open the second half on an 18-5 run in the first five and a half minutes to take a nine point lead. Queens would cut it to four on a couple of occasions but would not get any closer.
Darius McGhee led the way for the Flames with 35 points. Colin Porter added 13 while Kyle Rode finished with 12 and Shiloh Robinson added 11. Joseph Venzant did not attempt a shot but had 8 rebounds. Liberty had just six turnovers on the night.
The Flames and Royals will meet on Friday night at Liberty Arena for the Flames’ senior night.
FLAMES FINALLY WIN A CLOSE GAME
This was Liberty’s first win this season by fewer than 10 points as the Flames are now 1-4 in such games. Of course, the Flames have been really good for the duration of the campaign, winning most games by very comfortable margins. There have also been several games that were tightly contested before Liberty pulled away in the closing minutes. Still, it’s good to see the team close out a close game like this, especially on the road.
“I’m confident in our guys late game,” said McKay. “I do think we’ve got a team that plays together and down the stretch we kinda know what we’re looking for. This group has character. I’m not surprised by being able to finish it.”
DARIUS TURNS IT ON IN THE 2ND HALF
Darius McGhee had another strong game, finishing with 35 points on 11 of 24 shooting and 5 of 11 from three. He was not his typical self, according to Coach McKay, in the first half. The 5’9″ senior guard was 5 of 16 from the field. McGhee would have a very efficient second half though, making 6 of his 8 field goal attempts to help the Flames secure the victory.
“He’s a marvelous player and such a security blanket to have on your team because at any time he could make 8-10 points in a row,” McKay said of Darius. “We really trust him, coaches and players. I’m glad that we get him for at least two more games.”
LIBERTY LOCKS DOWN DYE
Kenny Dye is one of the more explosive players in the conference. He entered Wednesday’s game averaging 17.8 points per game, second most in the ASUN behind Darius McGhee. The Flames threw a number of different defenders at the guard including Joseph Venzant, Isiah Warfield, and Colin Porter. The strategy worked as Dye was held to a season low 9 points, having scored that few points three previous times this season. Dye was 3 of 15 from the field and did not make a three pointer, missing his three attempts.
“Kenny Dye is special,” said McKay. “We’ve watched him enough on tape and I’m very familiar with Queens and their program. He’s as good a guard as there is in this league that I think will be a first team all-conference player. For us to be able to switch up some matchups on him a little bit, try and change the look, I thought was healthy. I know he’s going to take that 3 for 15 and be dialed up on Friday.”
COACH McKAY POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
