Reminiscing over the Liberty men’s basketball season, while the ultimate goal of winning a conference championship wasn’t realized, there were numerous celebratory moments. Here’s our take on the top 10:
10. Flames dominate VCU in exhibition
It was an exhibition game to support the people of Puerto Rico, but Liberty looked really good in their first public action of the season all the way back in October. Ezra Talbert led the way with 23 points on 7-of-8 shooting and a perfect 5-for-5 from behind the 3 point line.
9. Cabbil’s 13 assist game
In the quarterfinals of the CIT, Liberty picked up a solid win over Central Michigan, but it was Lovell Cabbil who stole the show. The junior guard set a career-high with 13 assists. It was the most assists by a Liberty player since Jesse Sanders’ 16 assists against Montreat on December 20, 2011.
8. Paradise Jam held in Lynchburg
Due to extensive hurricane damage in the Virgin Islands, the Paradise Jam was held in Lynchburg. 8 teams descended upon Lynchburg for a weekend of great basketball. The Flames went 1-2 in the 3 games and narrowly knocked off Houston who went on to advance to the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament.
7. Liberty advances to CIT Semi’s
The 3rd time competing in the CIT postseason tournament was the first time Liberty advanced beyond the quarterfinal round. The Flames picked up wins over North Carolina A&T and Central Michigan before losing to the Flames of UIC in the semifinals.
6. Breakout of Scottie James
We had all heard of the potential Scottie James had, but he had averaged just 3.2 points and 2.6 rebounds in his freshman season at Bradley. He quickly showed ability in a Liberty uniform though. James went on to lead the team in scoring, rebounding, and blocks and was named 2nd-team All-Big South.
5. Non-Conference performance
The Flames had their best non-conference performance in quite some time, with wins over ACC member Wake Forest and NCAA Tournament team Georgia State. All 4 losses came against teams who competed in postseason tournaments including 2 NCAA Tournament teams in Houston and UNC Greensboro.
4. Kemrite’s record-breaking season
On January 6th, Ryan Kemrite became the 25th member of Liberty’s 1,000 point list. He went on to finish his career with 1,211 career points, good for 18th on Liberty’s all-time scoring list. But he will be most remembered for his 3 point shooting, leaving Liberty as its most decorated 3 point shooter. Kemrite finishes his career with program records in career 3-pointers made (258), career 3 point field goal percentage (43.0%), and single season 3 point field goal percentage (45.2%).
3. Sweep of Winthrop
It had been 14 years since Liberty defeated Winthrop in Rock Hill, South Carolina. That streak came to an end on January 9th. The Flames completed the season sweep of the perennial Big South contender by defeating the Eagles by 16 in Lynchburg on February 1st. It marks the first time Liberty has swept Winthrop since 2004.
2. James’ buzzer beater helps Liberty defeat UNCA
Liberty put to bed a 13 game losing streak to UNC Asheville while ending the Bulldogs’ 21 game home winning streak. With 1.4 seconds left in regulation, Keegan McDowel threw a full court pass to Scottie James who calmly knocked in a jump hook to tie the game as time expired. The Flames outscored Asheville 13-0 in the extra session to seal the win.
1. Big South Tourney run
No it didn’t end in a championship, but for 4 days Coach McKay’s squad had us on the edge of our seat. The wins over Campbell and Asheville were the first in the conference tournament in 5 years. And with one or two bounces going a different, it’s Liberty who is cutting down the nets and not that other team to the west.
