Liberty opened Conference USA play on Friday night with a tough road win against New Mexico State. The Lady Flames pulled out a 67–62 victory after trailing for most of the game and needing a strong finish to close it out. It was a physical game that tested Liberty early, but the Flames stayed composed and found a way to win late.
This victory snapped a three-game losing streak and moved Liberty to 1–0 in conference play and 7-5 overall. Winning on the road to start conference action is important, especially for a team still trying to find consistency. Even though it was not Liberty’s cleanest game, the Flames showed growth by fighting through adversity and finishing strong when it mattered most.
Liberty struggled early in the first quarter, scoring only seven points as New Mexico State controlled the pace and took an early lead. The Flames struggled to get shots to fall and allowed the Aggies to set the tone early. That began to change in the second quarter, as Liberty played with more energy and started moving the ball better on offense. While New Mexico State still held the lead, Liberty was able to cut into the margin and keep the game close heading into the halftime break.
The third quarter followed a similar pattern, with both teams trading baskets and neither side pulling away. New Mexico State was able to maintain a small lead, putting pressure on Liberty heading into the final quarter. That is where the game completely shifted. Liberty exploded for 30 points in the fourth quarter and went on an 11–0 run that flipped the momentum. The Flames attacked the basket, knocked down open shots, and tightened up defensively late. This fourth-quarter push allowed Liberty to take control and close out a big road win to open conference play.
Liberty had some big impact players on the stat sheet for this game. Avery Mills led the Flames with a career-high 25 points and was the key player down the stretch. Mills came up big in the fourth quarter, hitting efficient shots and providing leadership when Liberty needed a spark. She also knocked down multiple threes and played with confidence late in the game. Emmy Stout was another strong contributor, finishing with 15 points while also pulling down nine rebounds. Stout’s presence in the paint helped Liberty control the boards and limit second-chance opportunities for New Mexico State.
Other Flames also chipped in scoring, which allowed Liberty to stay balanced offensively and avoid relying on just one option. Rebounding was a major strength for Liberty in this game, as the Flames held a clear advantage on the glass. That rebounding edge helped create extra possessions and kept Liberty within striking distance early. Defensively, the Flames stepped up in the fourth quarter, forcing tough shots and limiting New Mexico State’s chances during the comeback. Turnovers were still an issue at times, but Liberty did enough late to make up for those mistakes.
The biggest positive for Liberty was how they finished the game. Scoring 30 points in the fourth quarter proved the Flames’ ability to be clutch in tough moments. Avery Mills stepping up in the clutch was also a major positive, as she delivered when Liberty needed points the most. Rebounding continues to be a strength for the Flames and played a big role in this win. Balanced scoring also helped Liberty stay steady throughout the game. A negative that showed up again was the slow start. Liberty put themselves behind early and had to spend most of the night playing catch-up. Turnovers were another issue, as they gave New Mexico State chances to build momentum earlier in the game. Liberty has dealt with this problem all season, and the Flames need to look to fix this issue if they want to compete later in the season.
If the Flames can combine cleaner starts with the late-game execution they showed on Friday, they will put themselves in a good position moving forward. As Liberty looks to build momentum in conference play, performances like this can serve as a stepping stone for the rest of the season.
