Liberty (13-7, 2-3) defeats Sam Houston (10-9, 3-1), 82-66, in front of 4,005 fans on Saturday night at Liberty Arena in Lynchburg, Virginia.
“Tough opponent,” said Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay. “Sam Houston does a really good job in their scheme. There’s a reason they are 3-0. Chris has done a terrific job with his group and their staff has got them playing really well. You can tell the talent in this league is evident.”
The Flames hand the Bearkats their first loss in Conference USA play, leading wire to wire. Liberty put together an offensive clinic, slicing up the Sam Houston defense and getting virtually anything they wanted all night long. Liberty would finish the game shooting 57% from the field and 48% from three.
Kyle Rode led the way for the Flames with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Colin Porter had 12 points, a career-high 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. Zach Cleveland chipped in 14 points while Kaden Metheny finished the night with 17.
The Flames are off until next Saturday when they head to Alabama to take on Jacksonville State. Tip off is scheduled for 5 p.m. on ESPN+ as Liberty looks to even the season series after the Gamecocks defeated LU on its home floor, 61-51, on Jan. 10.
FLAMES CONTROL GAME AGAINST PREVIOUSLY UNBEATEN SAM HOUSTON
The Bearkats entered the game one of the early surprises in league play in Conference USA, entering Saturday’s game against the Flames at 3-0. Liberty would hear none of it.
The Flames controlled the game throughout, taking an early 3-0 lead on a Kyle Rode three pointer and never looked back. Liberty led throughout, controlled the pace, and pushed its lead to a comfortable margin in the second half. It’s certainly a nice feeling for the home team in Lynchburg after a rough start to the New Year, dropping three straight to open conference play and four straight against Division I opponents.
“I thought we battled,” said McKay. “We answered most of their counter-punches. We have a group that is very unselfish and connected. I thought you saw that this evening.”
LIBERTY PUTS ON AN OFFENSIVE SHOWCASE
It may end up being one of the biggest anomalies of the season when we look back on it – how did this Liberty basketball team shoot less than 27% from three in consecutive games? That’s what Liberty did just a couple games ago in losses to Western Kentucky and Jacksonville State to open CUSA play.
Against the Bearkats, the Flames put on an offensive showcase, not just shooting from three point range but all over the floor. Liberty finished the game shooting 56.6% from the field and 11 of 23 from three. Virtually the entire team was efficient on the night. Kyle Rode and Kaden Metheny were 9 of 11 combined form three. Zach Cleveland made 5 of his 8 field goals while Colin Porter made 5 of 9 shots.
“Those were the same shots we were making early (in the season), missing in the middle (off the season), and making again,” McKay stated. “It’s a testament to our guys. They have the ability to quiet the noise and see if we can’t keep staying in the process of getting better. It makes it an easier game when you are making shots. They really try hard to keep improving, keep repping it out and not being distracted or dissuaded by the misses or the noise that comes with that.”
FLAMES BACK IN THEIR GROOVE
Just a couple days ago there were plenty of question marks around this Liberty basketball team and program. While two wins won’t necessarily answer all of those, it certainly makes for good vibes around Lynchburg.
The Flames were struggling, having lost three straight to open conference play including four out of five overall going back to the Alabama game late in December. The team was struggling on offense and couldn’t knock down open shots, especially in critical situations like late in the game against Western Kentucky and Louisiana Tech with the game on the line.
With two straight wins, including this comfortable one over Sam Houston who was at the top of the conference standings entering the night, it seems as though Liberty has regained their groove.
“We are in process still,” said McKay. “We are not the best version of ourselves yet, but they are phenomenal people to coach. They are great representatives of our university, that counts for me. I hope we can keep getting better because I like this group and their ability to see if we can’t be a tough out.”
McKAY POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
