Rapid reactions following Liberty’s loss to Morgan State, 51-50, in Cancun:

  1. Coach Layer switched things up with the starting lineup for the first time this season. He inserted David Andoh and AC Reid into the first 5, replacing Peter Moller and Drew Smith. The change in the starters didn’t give the Flames much energy early as Morgan State jumped out to a 13-4 lead.
  2. We knew it was just a matter of time before David Andoh cracked the starting lineup. He finished with 9 points and 6 rebounds, and should stay in the first 5 most of the season. He is one of the most versatile and athletic players on the team.
  3. After trailing from the opening minutes of the game, Liberty grabbed the lead at 37-35 thanks to a 7-0 run, but Morgan State answered right back with a 4-0 run of their own to regain the lead 39-37. The teams traded buckets in the final minute, first with Liberty taking the 48-47 lead on a jumper by David Andoh. Then the Bears responded to take a 49-48 lead with 20 seconds left. An Andrew Smith dunk with 13 seconds remaining gave the Flames the 50-49 edge, but Donte Pretlow hit the game winner for Morgan State with 3 seconds on the clock.
  4. The team is really struggling to find an offensive identity. The Flames are averaging less than 60 points per game. That won’t get it done most nights.
  5. Tomasz Gielo has to be a leader on the offensive end. The senior forward has all the tools, he just needs to find that killer instinct. He finished with 10 points and 6 rebounds, but only attempted 8 field goals.
  6. Maybe this is the game that will jumpstart Drew Smith. The senior forward had been struggling in the first 5 games of the season, but finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds. The Flames need his energy every night.
  7. 14 turnovers for Liberty in the first half. That’s right, 14. The Flames would finish with 23 turnovers in the game. LU has had 16 or more turnovers in each of their losses and 5 of their 6 games this season.
  8. If it wasn’t for Morgan State shooting 20/66 from the field (30.3%), this game would have been much more lopsided.
  9. The Bears attempted 29 more field goals than Liberty due to Liberty’s 23 turnovers and Morgan State’s 18 offensive rebounds. Losing by 1 in the final seconds with those numbers, is pretty remarkable.
  10. Liberty continues to struggle from the free throw line, shooting just 11/18 against Morgan State. The Flames were 23/39 (59%) from the line in Cancun.
  11. The Flames finish the Cancun Challenge 0-4 after losing to Virginia Tech and Miami (OH) before heading to Cancun where they lost to North Florida and Morgan State.
  12. Liberty returns to action Monday, December 1st, in the Vines Center against Furman.