The Liberty Flames led 60-47 with 8:32 left in the game. Then UNF went on a 23-4 run over the next 8 minutes to take a 65-62 lead. The Ospreys would hold on to win, 75-70, as the Flames fall to 23-6 overall and 12-2 in the ASUN.

First Half

Scottie James was not in the starting lineup as Myo Baxter-Bell got the start for the Flames’ leading rebounder. This was the first change in Liberty’s starting lineup in 15 games. He missed the team bus to shoot-around this morning and didn’t get the start because of it.

North Florida’s Noah Horchler missed the game due to a violation of team policy, but his replacement in the starting lineup Wajid Aminu scored UNF’s first 8 points of the game after Liberty jumped out to an early 4-0 lead. He would score 10 points in the game’s first 10+ minutes.

To attack the Ospreys matchup zone that extends well beyond the 3-point line, McKay began the game with Caleb Homesley flashing to the high post where the entry pass would be made. This proved beneficial for the Flames early as in the first meeting, Liberty struggled to score in the opening half.

UNF connected on 5-of-14 first half triples as they continued to go back-and-forth with Liberty for the lead in the first half.

As is typically the case, Liberty utilized a balanced scoring attack in the first half, led by Georgie Pacheco-Ortiz and Keenan Gumbs who each had 7 points in the first half. The Flames entered the halftime break with a 30-27 lead despite Scottie James having just 3 points on 1-for-4 shooting from the field and 1-for-3 from the free throw line. Lovell Cabbil, coming off a career high 30 points last week at North Alabama, was held scoreless in the opening half.

Second Half

Scottie James made quick work in the 2nd half, with 6 points and 5 rebounds before the first media timeout. He did pick up his 3rd foul before the U16 break, with the Flames leading 40-37. After a 2nd chance 3-pointer by the Ospreys to knot the game at 7, Liberty ran off a quick 7 straight points to take the largest lead of the game at 7. Caleb Homesley’s thunderous drive and dunk pushed it to 7 and forced UNF head coach Matt Driscoll to call a timeout.

North Florida would get a bucket in the paint after the timeout, but Keenan Gumbs would answer with a corner triple to push the lead to 8 at 50-42 with 11:55 left in the game. Gumbs would draw a foul and make both free throws to stretch the lead to 10. The graduate transfer and senior made a huge impact on the game, leading the team with 12 points at the 11 minute mark. His impact would continue, as he reached his season high at the 9:32 mark of the half with 14 points as Liberty led 56-47.

UNF would not go away, as they went on a 12-0 run to take the lead, 65-62 with 3 minutes left. It was an extended 18-2 run, as Liberty led 60-47 with 8:32 left in the game. The run would extend to 23-4 as the Flames trailed by 6 with 31 seconds left.

Liberty would cut the lead to as close as 2 after Caleb Homesley connected from 3-point range with 6.2 seconds left. UNF would miss their first free throw before connecting on the 2nd as they led by 3 with 4.5 seconds left.

Following the timeout, Coach McKay sent Keegan McDowell in to throw the ball in bounds, which is what he did at UNC Asheville last year. If you remember, he got the ball to Scottie James whose turnaround jumper at the buzzer lifted Liberty to the win. That wasn’t the case this time, as Keegan attempted to throw the ball into the frontcourt for Darius McGhee. The ball sailed out of bounds for a turnover. The Flames fouled UNF on the ensuing in-bounds and made both free throws to put the game out of reach.

Stat Check

Liberty entered the game 22-0 this season when leading with 5 minutes left in the game, 21-1 when leading at the half, and 22-0 when the opponent shoots 50% or worse.

Scottie James finished with his 9th double-double of the season, finishing with 16 points and 14 rebounds.

Three other Flames reached double figures, led by Caleb Homesley’s 17 points. Georgie Pacheco-Ortiz and Keenan Gumbs both finished with 14.

During UNF’s game-winning 23-4 run, the Flames were 2-for-7 with 6 turnovers.

Lipscomb Watch

After losing Wednesday night at FGCU, Lipscomb was off this weekend. The Flames currently sit in a first place tie with the 12-2 Bisons in the standings. Lipscomb returns to action Tuesday night for their senior night against NJIT. Their season finale is Friday at North Alabama.

If Lipscomb and the Flames both finish in a tie, the tie-breaker would be determined by how North Florida and FGCU finish in the standings. The Ospreys are 8-7 while the Eagles are 7-7 pending their game tonight against Kennesaw State. UNF hosts Stetson on Tuesday night while FGCU finishes at Jacksonville Friday night. NJIT could still factor into the race for 3rd place, they currently are 7-6 and in action with Jacksonville right now.

What’s Next?

Liberty has a quick turnaround, facing Kennesaw State for senior night on Tuesday at 7pm. The game is part of a double-header with the Lady Flames playing KSU at 5. The Owls will be outgoing head coach Al Skinner, as it was announced late last week that Skinner will resign at the end of the season.