Liberty (24-5, 16-2 CUSA) was able to snap a two-game losing skid and defeat Jacksonville State (14-15, 9-9 CUSA), 81-78, on Saturday night in Jacksonville, Alabama. With the win, the Flames secure a second straight, outright regular season CUSA title. It is the first time in program history that Liberty has won consecutive, outright conference titles.
“To get our second straight regular season conference championship speaks volumes to the young men that are in our program and the way that we’re supported,” said Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay. “I do want to acknowledge that because there are a lot of people that share the investment in our program and our young men all the way from academics to nutrition, our entire campus. This is something that we share and celebrate with Flames Nation.”
The Flames had the lead for just 21 seconds through the first 32 minutes of game action, as Jax State built a lead by as many as nine. Liberty wouldn’t let the game get out of reach though, staying within striking distance and chipping away at the deficit throughout much of the second half. A Zander Carter made bucket in the paint gave the Flames the 60-59 advantage with 7:08 remaining, the team’s first lead since it was 17-16 with 11:26 left in the first half. Shortly thereafter, the Flames went on a 10-0 burst to push its advantage to 73-65 with 2:34 remaining and would hang on for the victory.
In the opening half, the Flames trailed by seven and shot just 9 of 25 (36%) from the field and 5 of 15 (33.3%) from three-point range. After the break, Liberty was much more efficient on the offensive floor, connecting on 76% of its shots and 6 of 10 from three. Liberty made 10 of its last 12 field goals to secure the win. Liberty has now won four straight against the Gamecocks. The win at Mathews Coliseum is the first for Liberty in CUSA play and just the second time in program history, having also won there on Feb. 18, 2023 when both teams were in the ASUN.
“We were getting a few stops and that allowed us to shake loose a little bit,” said McKay. “Jax State is a very good defensive team. We got them a little behind. Then, we really took care of the ball and played selflessly. That’s our M.O. When we are in that identity, we are a tough out.”
Kaden Metheny led the way with 24 points, the most he has scored for t he Flames since he scored 29 in the win at Middle Tennessee on January 29. He has reached the 20-point mark in both games against Jax State this season, scoring 22 on Jan. 4 in Liberty’s win in Lynchburg. Metheny made 8 of 13 shots and was 6 of 11 from three. Brett Decker scored 16 points on 5 of 10 shooting and 4 of 8 from three. Colin Porter had 12 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds while Zach Cleveland finished with 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
“Kaden was able to shake loose, Brett, those guys are such elite shooters that when they get good looks, we’ve seen them shoot them enough that we think they’re going in,” McKay said. “I just thought our selflessness and stuff we did off the ball was good. Defensively, we were a lot harder to play against. When you get behind, and this group isn’t used to being behind alot, but we were in kind of a hurry against Western, Western’s playing great. Then, Kennesaw played really good against us. We gave up too many easy looks. Tonight, although we aren’t perfect and we still have a lot of room to grow, I thought we were hard to play against.”
Liberty finished the game shooting 56% from the field, 11 of 25 (44%) from three and 14 of 18 (78%) from the free throw line. The Flames had 8 turnovers, down from its 12 turnovers in each of the previous three games.
Jax State led for 32:28 of the game while Liberty only had the lead for 5:23. CUSA’s leading scorer, Mostapha El Moutaouakkil finished the game with 21 points on 6 of 17 shooting, 2 of 4 from three, and 7 of 10 from the free throw line.
Liberty finishes the month of February with a 6-2 record. The Flames now enter March with two remaining regular season games before Liberty heads to Huntsville, Alabama and the CUSA Tournament. The Flames will be the No. 1 seed and open play against the winner of the 8-9 game in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.
“You can use what you’re going through, it can either be an albatross or a springboard, you get the choice. I thought our guys had the determination and the perseverance to outlast the mistakes and we played connected basketball. That’s when we’re at our best.”
The Flames now enter the final week of the regular season with a pair of games at Liberty Arena, beginning Thursday night against Louisiana Tech. The Flames and Bulldogs are scheduled to tip-off at 7 p.m. on ESPN+. Louisiana Tech is currently 16-13 on the season and 9-9 in conference play.
“We haven’t arrived. I’m really blessed that we know when we’re going to play and have a chance to be the 1-seed again, but I think we can use this game to continue to improve. I thought we showed some improvement today.”
