The Flames ended the Maui Classic 0-2, with both losses coming by a narrow margin. Liberty suffered a 67-58 loss to Hawaii in the first game and then a 64-57 loss to Oregon State in the final match. This makes Liberty 6-5 for the season, narrowly staying above .500. These two games were against tough opponents, but the Flames have lost three in a row now. The Flames will start their first Conference game on the 2nd of January, which is also their next game. This will be a tough test that looks at the Flames battling New Mexico State and their high-powered offense.
Liberty was edged out offensively by Hawaii pretty much the entire game. LU hung around in the first, only being outscored by one in the first quarter, but in the second and third Hawaii outscored Liberty by a combined 19 points. LU fought back in the 4th with a 26-point 4th quarter but still fell short. Hawai’i’s perimeter game was the most dominant factor in the game, especially in the second and third quarters. Liberty was able to match some of the scoring, but the main deficit seemed to be that the Flames just couldn’t match the efficiency of the Rainbow Warriors. Liberty showed bright spots this game, especially in the fourth, where they were able bump up their 3-point percentage to 42 percent while also having multiple players enter the double digits in scoring. Some of the key players for this contest were Lydie Mwamba, who had 13 points on a good shooting night with 3-5 from three. Emma Leon and Ify Nwaobi were also strong, boosting 13 points from Leon and 8 points and 5 rebounds from Nwaobi.
Liberty and Oregon State played a tight, back-and-forth game from the start, with the Beavers holding a small edge after the first quarter before LU responded in the second to take a narrow halftime lead. The third quarter stayed competitive, but Oregon State was able to slightly outscore the Flames and build momentum heading into the fourth. Liberty stayed in control for much of the final quarter and even held a late lead, but Oregon State closed the game on an 11–2 run over the final minutes, which ultimately decided the outcome. The biggest difference in the game came down to late-game execution, as Liberty struggled to get clean looks down the stretch while Oregon State converted key shots and free throws. Despite the loss, Liberty had several positives, including balanced scoring and efficient shooting from deep. Avery Mills and Emmy Stout led the way with 14 points each, while Lynn Peters added 10 points off the bench, and Ify Nwaobi contributed inside with 8 points, 7 rebounds, and multiple blocks
One of the biggest positives for Liberty through both games was their ability to stay competitive and fight through adversity, especially late. The Flames showed strong resilience in the fourth quarter against Hawaii, putting up 26 points and cutting into a large deficit rather than folding, which showed their ability to adjust and play with urgency. Liberty also shot the ball well from the perimeter throughout the tournament, finishing both games around the low-to-mid 40 percent range from three, which kept them within striking distance against quality opponents. Another positive was the balanced scoring, as multiple players stepped up in both games instead of relying on just one option. Players like Avery Mills, Emmy Stout, Lydie Mwamba, and Emma Leon all provided consistent scoring, while Ify Nwaobi gave Liberty a steady presence inside with rebounding and rim protection. Overall, Liberty showed they can compete with strong non-conference teams and have the depth and shooting to stay in games even when things are not going their way.
Liberty will head on the road to face New Mexico State on January 2 in Las Cruces, and this game could be a big moment for the Flames moving forward. After two close losses in the Maui Classic, this matchup gives Liberty a chance to bounce back and start conference play the right way. A road win would be huge for confidence and could help set the tone for the rest of the season, especially with conference games becoming more important. It would also show growth from the Maui games, proving that Liberty can finish games and turn close performances into wins. Overall, this game is a good opportunity for the Flames to reset, gain momentum, and build something positive heading into the rest of the season.
