Liberty knocks off Norfolk State, 73-64. Here’s our rapid reactions:

  1. The Flames pick up their first postseason tournament win since March 17, 2009 when Liberty won its first round game in the CIT. Coach McKay improves to 2-1 at Liberty in postseason tournaments.
  2. With the win, Liberty picks up its 20th win of the season for the 5th time in school history and just 3rd time in the program’s Division I history. It’s the first time the team has won 20 games since the 2008-09 season, when Coach McKay was also head coach.
  3. Lovell Cabbil and and Ryan Kemrite combined for 55 points. Both shot 9/13 from the field. Cabbil was 4/8 from 3 while adding 3 rebounds and 3 steals. Kemrite was 6/10 from 3.
  4. Ryan Kemrite finished with 30 points and was named the MVP of the John McLendon Classic. His 30 points set a McLendon Classic record for points, and he is the first Flame to score 30 points in a game since Davon Marshall scored 31 at Longwood on February 19, 2013.
  5. While John Dawson did not score and only attempted 2 field goals, he did have 8 assists. The Flames combined for 17 assists on 25 made field goals.
  6. Due to their only being 26 teams instead of 32 in this year’s CIT, the top 3 teams after the first round is completed will receive a bye into the quarterfinals.
  7. Norfolk State packed their defense into a tight zone and the Flames weren’t shy to shoot the 3-ball early and often. Liberty attempted 28 three pointers, while connecting on 12 of them. In the first half, 16 of Liberty’s 21 field goal attempts were from 3.
  8. Liberty outscored the Spartans, 25-8, in points off turnovers. The Flames had 11 turnovers compared to Norfolk State’s 18.
  9. Former Liberty signee Stavian Allen played in 3 minutes for the Spartans. He missed his only field goal attempt and recorded 1 rebound.
  10. The Flames move on to the 2nd round of the CIT, opponent and date still to be determined.