After a nine-day layoff due to COVID protocols, Liberty (14-6, 5-0) returned to action Thursday night, getting the best of North Alabama (8-12, 1-6) in a 72-53 win. The Flames extend their home win streak to 45 games.

“I thought it would be a hard fought game,” Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay said following the game. “One thing you can take to the bank with a Tony Pujol coached team is they are going to play really hard and they are going to do it for 40 minutes. We saw it tonight. Probably shaking off a little rust but credit to North Al, they kept coming.”

Liberty led by double digits much of the game until the Lions went on a 10-0 run to cut the lead to four with 7:57 left in the game. The Flames would respond with a 12-0 run of their own.

“Really happy that we responded the right way,” said McKay. “When it’s 51-47, I think some teams could maybe fracture, but, if you could have heard our huddle, this group is really together. I’m really happy with the outcome.”

It was a bit of an off night for Darius McGhee who still led the team in scoring with 18 points. He was 7 of 18 from the field and 3 of 10 from three. He was one of four players in double figures as Kyle Rode joined him with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. Blake Preston had 13 points and 5 rebounds. Shiloh Robinson pitched in 10 points while Brody Peebles had 9 points and 4 assists.

Liberty now turns its attention to a big showdown Saturday night against Jacksonville State with tip off scheduled for 7 p.m. at Liberty Arena on ESPN+. The Flames and Gamecocks are the final two remaining unbeaten teams in ASUN play, Liberty at 5-0 and Jacksonville State at 7-0.

Here are our three main takeaways from today’s game:

FLAMES KNOCKING OFF SOME RUST

After the team’s game last Tuesday night against Jacksonville, the Flames went into a pause due to COVID protocols. Liberty was only able to put together one practice since then and it was not with a full allotment of players. McKay said earlier in the week that the team is on track to be at full strength Friday. Keegan McDowell was not with the team for Thursday’s game due to COVID protocols.

“Hats off to our guys because we have had a funky week with not having enough guys to field a regular practice,” McKay said. “I feel great about the way they played, and, not to make excuses, but in light of the circumstances, that was as good as I could have expected.”

BLAKE PRESTON RETURNS TO STARTING LINEUP

With Keegan McDowell missing the game due to COVID protocols, Blake Preston made his return to the starting lineup and he did not disappoint. The Liberty big man finished the game with a season high 13 points as he made all five of his field goals while also grabbing five rebounds.

“Blake is a really good player,” said McKay. “He’s as good as any post in the league. You can’t equate his value to his minutes. We substitute based on our lineups. The beauty of it is he’s had the wherewithal to quiet any noise about what you shouldn’t be getting or what you deserve. Anyone that is that sacrificial, especially with his leadership gift, it adds value to a family. I mean that about Blake, whether he plays 21 minutes or 12, he always gives his best.”

BALANCED SCORING ATTACK PACES THE FLAMES

The past few games it has been the Darius McGhee show. The 5’9″ senior guard has scored 75 points in the prior two games, but his shot wasn’t quite falling like it had been on Tuesday night. That paved the way for Liberty to use a committee approach to the offensive end of the floor even with Darius still leading the team in scoring with 18 points.

“I think you’re hard to play against then,” McKay said about having a balanced offensive attack. “Darius is Darius. There’s nights when he could get 50, but you saw the Delaware State game, he had one shot attempt at halftime. He’s not worried about where he ranks in the nation in terms of leading scorers. He’s worried about winning the game. We love that as a family. I think that makes our opposition have to deal with everybody.”