Liberty opens conference play with a 56-52 loss to Radford. Here’s a few thoughts on the game:

  1. This game was a classic case of a program that has had several years to develop (Radford under Mike Jones) and one that is just laying the foundation. A proven senior in Rashun Davis scored the final 4 points of the game when it was tied with less than 30 seconds to play.
  2. Too many times, particularly in the first half, the Flames were stagnant on offense. Maybe Radford’s pressure defense is too blame, but Liberty’s guards over-dribbled leading to several turnovers.
  3. It was the Evan Maxwell show. The sophomore big man finished the game with a career-high 24 points and he also added 12 rebounds. Liberty went away from him in the final minutes of the game though.
  4. LU really struggled shooting tonight. Evan Maxwell finished the game 9/11 shooting while Cabbil was 5/12, all other Flames were a combined 6/27 from the field.
  5. The Flames need to make it a habit of getting Evan Maxwell paint touches. He should get a touch in the paint on every possession. Good things happen when the big man touches it. He may not always get a clean look, but the defense will collapse on him and shooters will be open.
  6. Turnovers have been a problem much of the early season, and they were again tonight. Lovell Cabbil, as good as he is and will be, must improve his ball security. He had 5 turnovers tonight compared to 0 assists. Liberty finished with 14 turnovers in the game.
  7. With such a small team, and no depth, we knew rebounding would be an issue. Unfortunately, it probably cost Liberty the game tonight. The Flames were outrebounded 40-34. LU was up 52-50 with 1:16 left, they got a stop, but couldn’t grab the board. Plays like that are the difference in winning and losing a close, conference game on the road.
  8. A.C. Reid has really been struggling all season. Expected to be one of the team leaders this season, Reid was shooting 30% from the field and 26% from 3-point range entering tonight. Against the Highlanders, Reid shot 2/10 from the field and 0/6 from 3.
  9. Tonight may have been the best all-around game Liberty has played on defense since McKay returned. Radford entered the game averaging 72 points per game, but finished the game with just 56 points on 33% shooting and 4/21 from 3.
  10. Lovell Cabbil & Evan Maxwell form a pretty solid foundation to build around over the next several years. Add a couple more pieces and this team can definitely compete at this level. Cabbil finished the game with 15 points and 5 rebounds. Maxwell and Cabbil combined for 39 points while the rest of the team had just 13.