Liberty dropped a heartbreaker in double overtime to High Point, 77-72. Here is what we learned:

  • We’ve been trying to say don’t panic yet, this team will compete in conference play, for a while. And they’ve proven that to be true so far. Yes, they are 1-3, but they could easily be 2-2 with a road victory. The next 2 matchups are critical as Liberty should win them both. If they do, the Flames will be 3-3.
  • Senior Tavares Speaks stepped up in a hostile environment on the road. Speaks finished with a career-high 20 points while playing 45 minutes. Could Speaks develop into Liberty’s go-to guy down the stretch?
  • John Caleb Sanders continues to play solid in conference play as he scored 19 even while being serenaded with chants of “Sanders.” Still not sure if the High Point fans thought John Caleb was Jesse.
  • Coronado continues to pile up rebounds as he grabbed 12 against the athletic frontline the Panthers presented.
  • The Flames had just 8 bench points compared to High Point’s 23. The Panthers’ bench gave the team 76 minutes while Liberty’s bench only provided 41 minutes. Based on this, it seems as though the Flames simply ran out of gas in the 2nd overtime.
  • Liberty held High Point to just 38% shooting from the field.
  • In the end, John Brown and Allan Chaney were too much. The pair combined for 40 points, 23 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

Liberty returns to action on Saturday to take on 0-4 Presbyterian.