Despite surrendering a 17-point lead for a second straight game, Liberty (15-3, 7-0 CUSA) extended its win streak to nine with an 80-69 win over UTEP (6-12, 2-5) Saturday afternoon in front of 3,082 fans at Liberty Arena.
“I’m going to sound redundant, but it’s a really good league,” said Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay. “Everyone in this league can play. If you get seduced by the standings, look at the rankings, and say, ‘Oh well, they should get that one or they should get that one.’ That’s when it will thwart what your process needs to be focused on. For us, that’s going to be daily improvement. UTEP is well-coached, they have really good players.”
The Flames started the game extremely hot, making six straight shots early in the contest. It helped Liberty grab the lead. Brett Decker made 5 of his first 6 shots and Colin Porter knocked in two three-pointers as Liberty made 11 of 15 shots as the lead grew to double figures. It would grow to as high as 17 with less than four minutes remaining in the opening half, but the Miners would fight back into it. UTEP closed the half on a 16-2 run over the final 3:01, making their last six field goals, including four threes, cutting the deficit to 3 at 41-38.
The Miners strong shooting continued to open the half as they made their first five shots after the break. It helped them push the game to being tied for the first time. Liberty would respond with a 15-3 run, holding UTEP scoreless for 4:17 to regain control of the game. The lead would not get closer than six points the rest of the way.
“I was really pleased with our response,” said McKay. “I’m old enough in this to know there’s going to be an ebb and flow to every game. I got a little fatigued that we let a double digit lead evaporate so quickly and I shared that with them at halftime. UTEP came out and made a bunch of them in a row. The great thing about today is we didn’t react. We played with emotion but we weren’t emotional and that’s a really good deposit.”
In the seventh meeting between the two programs, Liberty picks up the first win on a home floor as the Flames were 0-2 at Liberty Arena against UTEP but a perfect 2-0 on the road. The two squads have also split a pair of meetings at the CUSA Championship Quarterfinals in Huntsville, Alabama. Liberty also improves to 10-0 at home this year and has won nine straight overall. The team’s 7-0 start in conference play is its best start since opening 7-0 in the ASUN in 2018-19.
Zach Cleveland led the Flames with 20 points on 9 of 10 field goals. He made his first 9 before missing a three-pointer in the closing minutes. He also added 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and tied his career high with 4 blocked shots. Brett Decker also scored 20 points, reaching that mark for the first time in six games, last getting to 20 in the win at FIU to open conference play. He was 8 of 16 from the field and 3 of 6 from three. Colin Porter had 15 points on 3 of 6 from three while Kaden Metheny added 13 points.
For the game, Liberty shot 59.3% from the field and 7 of 20 (35.0%) from three. The Flames also made 9 of 11 from the free throw line. The Miners shot a season-high against a Division I opponent 54.9% from the field. They were 11 of 23 (47.8%) from three. Liberty won the rebound battle, 23-21 and had 4 offensive rebounds compared to UTEP’s 3. The Flames scored 46 points in the paint compared to 22 by the Miners.
“We just can’t get in that space where just because our record says one thing, that we’re unbeatable,” McKay said. “We’re not unbeatable. We are a work in progress. The great thing is, it’s a joy, it’s a blessing, it’s a privilege, it’s awesome to coach these guys. I want to make sure we are continuing to view each possession as valuable. That’s kind of been the message.”
Liberty hits the road for a single game road trip this week, playing at Western Kentucky on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+. The Hilltoppers are currently 11-7 on the season and 4-3 in conference play following an 81-65 loss at home on Saturday to Kennesaw State.
