The Liberty Lady Flames picked up a pair of wins at home over the weekend to improve to 16-12 on the season and 10-7 in conference. Liberty has now won 10 or more conference games for 27 straight seasons, a streak which spans three leagues and began in 1999-2000, Carey Green’s first season as head coach. The Lady Flames finished the month of February 7-2, allowing just 51.2 points per game for the month. Entering the final week of the regular season where Liberty has just one contest, the Flames have clinched a top six seed for the CUSA Women’s Basketball Tournament, earning a bye into the quarterfinal round.

Here’s a recap of the team’s recent action:

W, 65-37 vs Middle Tennessee, Feb. 26

Liberty pitched another stellar defensive effort during Thursday’s clash with Middle Tennessee at Liberty Arena. The Lady Flames held the Blue Raiders to season lows in points (37), field goal percentage (26.2%), and three-point field goal percentage (9.5%) during an impressive victory. The Lady Flames posted a fourth consecutive home win in a rematch of the last two CUSA title games. Offensively, Liberty scored its most points in eight all-time matchups with the Blue Raiders.

Emmy Stout scored 14 points and had 8 rebounds while Ify Nwaobi had 9 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks. JaKayla Thompson added 10 points and 7 rebounds. After missing the last five games due to injury, Avery Mills returned to action, finishing with 5 points and 2 assists in 16 minutes off the bench.

Middle Tennessee scored the night’s first four points before going scoreless for the next seven minutes. During that drought, the Lady Flames took the lead for good with a 14-0 run. Three different players knocked d own triples, including Avery Mills in her first appearance in three weeks. Her triple at the 2:15 mark made it 14-4 and the lead stayed at eight or more points the rest of the way.

W, 60-54 vs Western Kentucky, Feb. 28

Avery Mills celebrated her birthday by scoring 13 of her game-high 17 points after halftime to help lift Liberty to the win Saturday afternoon. Her second half surge helped the Lady Flames overcome a nine-point first half deficit to defeat the Hilltoppers.

Liberty utilized an 18-3 third quarter to surge past the Lady Toppers on their way to a sixth consecutive victory over WKU and fifth straight home win. JaKayla Thompson had her first career double double with 10 points and a career high 10 rebounds while also matching her career high of six assists. Liberty held WKU to 33.3% shooting from the field and 28% from  long range.

WKU knocked down three triples during a 15-3 run to close the opening half, building a 34-26 halftime advantage. Liberty’s third quarter was sparked by Mills who had 11 points and three triples in the period. Western Kentucky shot just 1 of 14 in the decisive frame. WKU would make one last comeback attempt, scoring nine consecutive fourth quarter points to pull within one with 1:54 to play. Emmy Stout answered with a three-point play on Liberty’s next possession. The Lady Flames then sealed the win with a trio of blocked s hots on the defensive end and four free throws during the final 36 seconds.

Upcoming schedule

3/6 vs Delaware, 7 p.m., ESPN+

CUSA Standings

Louisiana Tech…………15-1
FIU………………………….10-6
Middle Tennessee…….10-6
Missouri State…………..10-6
Liberty………………………10-7
Sam Houston……………9-7
Jacksonville State…….8-9
Delaware…………………..6-11
Kennesaw State……….6-11
New Mexico State…….5-11
UTEP……………………..5-11
Western Kentucky……..4-12