The Liberty men’s basketball team returned home this past weekend on the heels of dropping consecutive games for the first time in more than two years. Then on Sunday, the entire sports world was shaken by the tragic death of Kobe Bryant and eight others in a helicopter crash. It left the Liberty players feeling a little down.

Sunday is a typical off day, which the Flames took, but after the news of Bryant’s death began spreading, Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay began reaching out to several members of his team to check in on them.

Monday is typically a back to work day on the practice floor for the Flames, but McKay sensed they would benefit from a different agenda.

“Our guys were emotional after the loss of one of their heroes,” McKay said, referring to Bryant. “PJ Preston came in and did a little function for us. That was healthy, and we talked, and then we went to see a movie.”

Preston is the father of a Liberty student manager K’Saan Preston. He’s also a motivational speaker, LCA’s Campus Pastor, and Church Planter of the Hope Company.

The different schedule helped get the Flames back on track as Liberty dominated both offensively and defensively Thursday night in an 83-45 win over Kennesaw State.

“I thought our preparation for this game felt a little different coming off those two (losses),” senior Caleb Homesley said. “We had to grow. I think we had a really good time on Monday. We had a really good time in (the team room), sat down, talked. I think it brought us closer together and that next practice was really good. It was intense.”

With the win, Liberty improves to 20-3 overall and is tied for first place in the ASUN with North Florida at 6-2.

“When you have a group like ours, no one wanted to lose last week,” said McKay. “I think they were a little down and maybe discouraged. I think we turned the page quickly at the beginning of the week.”