A few thoughts following Liberty’s first Division I test of the season against William & Mary:

  1. The Flames played very well, particularly in the first half, but the experienced Tribe were too much for McKay’s young squad.
  2. In his first game against similar size, Evan Maxwell showed he can compete. The sophomore center finished the game with 12 points and 8 rebounds. He has some nice moves in the post, even showed a nice hook shot over his right shoulder early in the game.
  3. The Tribe shot well from the floor all evening finishing the game at 56%. Coach McKay said afterwards that this is part of the way William & Mary plays, they are just good shooters.
  4. The Flames continue to fire it up from 3, finishing the game with 28 attempts. Liberty will need to shoot better than 21% from long distance to beat a team as good as William & Mary though.
  5. After struggling the first 2 games with turnovers, the Flames went the first 16:34 without a turnover, and finished the first half with just 1. Liberty finished the game with just 7 turnovers.
  6. Apologies to Anthony Fields, after the first two games, it looked like Hansel Atencia may eventually overtake him in the rotation. He definitely answered the bell tonight finishing as the Flames’ leading scorer with 13 points. Fields added 3 assists and just 1 turnover.
  7. Coach McKay tightened the bench tonight, giving his 3 subs just 29 minutes. The bench finished with just 2 total points compared to William & Mary’s 22 bench points.
  8. The Tribe attempted 28 free throws to Liberty’s 12 leading to an 18-7 point differential at the line.
  9. The Flames were out-rebounded by a margin 38-21.