The Flames defeat Gardner-Webb on Saturday afternoon. Here’s our thoughts:

  1. Liberty got off to an incredibly hot start, knocking down 6 of their first 8 3-pointers as the Flames raced out to a 26-10 lead with 11:21 left in the 1st half. Gardner-Webb responded with a 19-2 run as they took a lead entering the final minutes of the first half.
  2. The win puts an end to the 3 game losing streak as the Flames enter next week’s Big South Tournament.
  3. It was senior day, and Liberty’s lone senior, Anthony Fields, got the start and played 31 minutes. Fields finished with 8 points, 5 assists, and 2 rebounds.
  4. Liberty connected from deep early and often, finishing the game 17-of-36 from 3. The 17 made 3’s tie a school record for made 3-pointers in a game.
  5. Caleb Homesley finished with a new career-high 22 points. He connected on 5 of his 8 three pointers and made all 5 of his free throws.
  6. John Dawson finished with 16 points, all 16 coming in the 2nd half. A nice bounce back game for him after struggling in the previous 2 games.
  7. Lovell Cabbil had 16 points include 4 of 5 shooting on 3-pointers.
  8. As has been the case the past couple of games, teams have gone to the zone against the Flames. It was no different against Gardner-Webb with the Runnin’ Bulldogs opening the game and spending much of the afternoon in zone. Perhaps to counter the move, Coach McKay went with a virtual all guard starting lineup for the first time this season. Anthony Fields, John Dawson, AC Reid, Caleb Homesley, and Ryan Kemrite got the start.
  9. If Radford loses to Longwood this afternoon, the Flames will get the 5 seed and have a first round bye. If Radford beats the Lancers, the Flames will get the 6 seed and play the 11 seed in the first round of the tournament on Thursday. With the loss, the Flames will be the 7 seed in next week’s Big South Tournament and will play the 10 seed on Thursday.