The Liberty Flames (10-4, 1-0) and Lipscomb Bisons (8-6, 0-1) renew their rivalry on Monday night at Liberty Arena to open the 2023 athletic year.

Since joining the ASUN, the Flames and Bisons have been two of the better teams in the league. In Liberty’s first two years in the league, Liberty and Lipscomb met in the ASUN Tournament final, and the two programs once again met in the conference tournament last year, doing so in the quarterfinals. The Flames would win that game last season, 52-47.

Lipscomb’s non-conference schedule included wins over Belmont, Chattanooga, Navy, Tennessee Tech, and Louisville. They opened ASUN play on Saturday, falling at home to Stetson, 86-80, in overtime.

The Bisons have been led by second year big man, Jacob Ognacevic. He leads the team with 15.9 points per game. Ahsan Asadullah is back for his final year at Lipscomb, but he has been a bit disappointing so far this season, averaging just 8.1 points and 6.4 boards each contest. Will Pruitt is averaging 11.4 points per game, and Trae Benham, who scored 21 against the Flames in last year’s ASUN Tournament, is currently averaging 9.1 points each game.

Here’s everything you need to know for Monday’s matchup:

How to Watch – Liberty Flames (10-4, 1-0) vs Lipscomb (8-6, 0-1)

  • Date: Monday, Jan. 2, 2023
  • Start Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • TV: ESPN+
  • Online Streaming: Watch ESPN
  • Radio (Lynchburg): LFSN Radio (107.5 FM)

Odds and Statistics

  • KenPom currently gives Liberty an 85 percent chance to win the game with a predicted score of 76-64.
  • ESPN’s Basketball Power Index currently gives Liberty a 91.4 percent chance to win the game.

Previous Matchup

  • Liberty leads the all-time series, 7-5, and has knocked off the Bisons 7 out of 10 meetings since joining the ASUN.
  • The Flames are 3-0 against Lipscomb in the ASUN Tournament, winning the last timeout in last year’s ASUN Quarterfinals, 52-47. Liberty has won three straight against the Bisons.

Probable Starters

Stat Leaders (2022 Season)

Liberty:

  • Points: Darius McGhee – 22.2 PPG
  • Rebounds: Joseph Venzant – 5.8 RPG
  • Assists: Kyle Rode – 4.1 APG