Behind a sell-out crowd, the Liberty Flames (4-3) raced out to a big first half lead and never looked back, dispatching Missouri (4-4), 66-45. The win extends the program’s longest ever home win streak to 39 which is also the second longest current home win streak in the country.
The Tigers had a dreadful offensive first half. It took them eight minutes of game action to make their first field goal attempt, and once they did it would take them another eight minutes to connect on another. Missouri finished the first 20 minutes with more turnovers (15) than points (14) as Liberty led by 21. The Tigers were much more efficient in the second half, but were unable to cut into the Flames’ lead much as Liberty cruised to the win.
Darius McGhee would lead the team with 20 points as he made 5 of 13 from behind the arc. He also added 4 assists and 5 steals. Shiloh Robinson was second on the team ins coring with 15 points while Keegan McDowell reached double figures once again with 12 points.
“I’m just going to give thanks first to our Lord and Savior and secondly I think this is a mustard seed game,” Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay said. “To see our Arena full, sold-out, to have the quality of opponent that we had. I just think of all the guys that have gone before this group of young men. When we first got here and had belief, Ephesians 3:20. We just had a belief that if we committed to the process and tried to honor that something good was going to happen. This was evidence of that.”
The Flames continue their four game home-stand on Monday, Dec. 6 against Delaware State. The Hornets are currently 2-4 on the season ahead of their Thursday night game against Delaware. They begin their trek to Virginia by taking on Longwood in Farmville on Saturday.
Here are our three main takeaways from today’s game:
ARENA PROVIDED ENERGY
The first SEC opponent to ever play men’s basketball in Lynchburg provided plenty of energy for the Liberty Arena crowd. The student section was overflowing more than 45 minutes before tip and the season ticket holders flowed in after that. The crowd provided energy to the team from the open and it allowed the Flames to jump out to a 20 point lead and never look back.
“Tremendous atmosphere,” Missouri head coach Cuonzo Martin said. “Even as a coach, even, as a player, it’s great to be a part of an atmosphere like that.”
SHILOH HAS FOUND AN OFFENSIVE GAME
After scoring a career-high 13 points in Liberty’s last game against Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday, Shiloh Robinson continued to provide an offensive punch for the Flames. The 6’7″ junior forward had a career-high in points for a second straight game as he finished with 15 points. He made six of 10 shots and two of three from behind the arc.
“He was terrific,” McKay said of Robinson. “His parents drove all the way from Kearney (Nebraska) to come to the game. So, when I get out there, I’m just going to ask them to come to every game. He was special. He was special on both ends though because Kobe Brown is a heck of a player. I’m happy for Shi, really deserving. As Matt Warner would say, he’s the most interesting man at least on our team. What a special kid.”
FLAMES SHOW IMPROVEMENT FROM EARLY SEASON STRUGGLES
After a win on opening night against non-Division I Regent, Liberty had an uncharacteristic three-game losing streak with losses at LSU and in Orlando against Iona and Manhattan. It had many questioning if this team had the ability and experience to compete to win a fourth straight ASUN championship. Those questions may have been answered on Thursday night.
“I think we’ve been improving as the days have gone on,” McKay stated. “I know it’s coach speak when I reference the quality of opponent that we have played, but I mean it. LSU is really good. Iona was really good. Manhattan is way better than people think. Look at KenPom, who’s a genius and a friend, but when you have a team that is experienced with zero days prep. I just think people kinda thought, ‘well, they’re not who they used to be.’ Well, you saw tonight I think was an accumulation of the improvement we’ve made since we got back from Orlando.”
