Liberty (11-7, 0-3) FIU (7-11, 2-1), 78-69, in front of 3,247 fans on Thursday night at Liberty Arena in Lynchburg, Virginia.

“I have a lot of respect for FIU,” said Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay. “Their unique system, it’s not easy to simulate the length, athleticism, and determination that they play with and attempt to turn you over and speed you up. I thought our group was really disciplined in trying to take care of the basketball and get great shots.”

The Panthers speed up the tempo with their style of play, it may have taken until the first media timeout for the Flames to adjust to the style of play. Liberty had three turnovers in the first four minutes of action but did not commit another until the last four minutes of the first half. Liberty went into the locker room with a 36-29 edge, behind 8 of 17 shooting from three (47.1%).

Liberty would hold on to pick up the win, but it wouldn’t be without a fight from the visitors from Miami. FIU pushed the Flames lead to just 6 points before the Flames responded and secured the victory, the program’s first in Conference USA play.

The Flames shot 48% from three for the game, knocking down 16 of 33 from behind the arc. Kyle Rode paced four double figure scorers for Liberty with 19 points. Kaden Metheny added 18, while Brody Peebles had 12 and Zach Cleveland finished with 11 points.

Liberty had 26 assists on 27 made baskets in the win.

The Flames conclude this short two-game home stand on Saturday against Sam Houston. The Bearkats are currently 10-8 overall and sit atop the CUSA standings at 3-0 in conference play, having not played since this past Saturday when they defeated Middle Tennessee, 60-51. Saturday’s game from Liberty Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.

FLAMES RESPOND, PICK UP FIRST CUSA W

It has been a rough start to 2024 and a rough start to CUSA play for the Liberty Flames. The team had dropped three straight to open conference play, the first time that had happened since Coach McKay’s first season back at the helm of the program during the 2015-16 campaign.

A loss on Thursday against FIU would have been devastating to the team’s morale and ability to compete for a spot near the top of the league. At just 1-3 in league play, there is still a lot of work that must be done, but the Flames got their first win under its belt and can build off of it moving forward.

“We were staring 0-4,” said McKay. “If we didn’t play well and go 0-4, drop two at home, it’s a really hard road to recover from. They all feel a sense of relief, but, I’ve said all week, this group, I love them. I’d take them anywhere because I just have a belief in our guys. Their commitment to playing the right way, playing for one another. 26 assists and 11 turnovers, it’s a good offensive night. I think it’s indicative of who we are, especially when shots go in. It’s always easier when shots go in.”

METHENY BREAKS OUT OF RECENT COLD SPELL

Liberty guard Kaden Metheny has struggled recently, making just 5 of 23 three point attempts over the past three games, all in Conference USA play. The first year Liberty player broke out of that cold spell in a big way Thursday night against FIU. He made 6 of 10 three pointers, leading the team, on his way to scoring 18 points in the contest. He made three triples in the opening minutes of the second half to help keep the Flames ahead of the surging Panthers.

TOTAL TEAM EFFORT TO SECURE WIN

Against FIU and their havoc system, it took the entire team to secure the win. By the end of the game, the Flames were gassed. Kaden Metheny was grabbing at his lower back, Colin Porter was wincing in pain as the entire team had to dig deep to get this game across the finish line.

At times it was Zach Cleveland doing the heavy lifting, other times it was Kyle Rode or even Joseph Venzant who finished with 9 points and 7 rebounds. Metheny and Porter had the bulk of the ball-handling duties against the full court pressure all night. The team had to exhaust all of its energy to secure the win, but, at 0-3, the team was desperate for the win and found what it took to get the job done.

“They can have a 15, 18 point deficit and flip it like that because it’s constant pressure, 40 minutes,” McKay said of the P anthers. “We had to have additional playmakers on the floor tonight so some of those guys got long minutes. Recovery time is quick and short for Saturday’s game, but it was necessary to try and alleviate some of their havoc.”