JR Coronado led the Flames with a career-high 20 points and 13 boards
Liberty was able to pick up their first road win of the season while handing the Keydets their first home loss this year as the Flames outlasted the Keydets 85-80. With the win both teams move to 1-1 in conference play. The Flames were paced by 4 starters who finished in double figures led by JR Coronado’s career-high 20 points on 10-of-16 shooting. JR also added a career-high 13 rebounds.
Liberty raced out to a quick start for the second consecutive game as they led 6-0 in the opening moments. The Keydets would respond to take their first lead at 8-7 off a Brian Brown made 3-pointer. The teams would go back and forth throughout the remainder of the first half as neither team was able to stretch their lead to more than 4 points in the opening stanza. Liberty entered the break with a 38-37 lead following a Davon Marshall made jumper in the closing seconds of the first half.
After the Keydets regained the lead early in the 2nd half at 39-38, Liberty would turn to JR Coronado who put the Flames back on top at 40-39 with 18:46 to play. The Keydets would not regain the lead. The Flames gained their largest lead of 9 with less than 2 minutes to play as they went up 80-71 following a made Coronado bucket. VMI cut it to 1 following a couple of made 3 pointers, but 4 Antwan Burrus free throws in the final 18 seconds would prove the final margin.
Liberty dominated the rebounding battle outrebounding the Keydets 52-31. Davon Marshall added 16 points on 4 made 3-pointers. John Caleb Sanders chipped in 15 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds. Drew Smith finished with 13 points and 7 rebounds including a couple of rim-rocking dunks.
The Flames return home for a Tuesday night contest with Campbell.
We can! when we want it bad! Let the boys shoot!