Liberty concludes non-conference play with a 3-12 record after losing to Notre Dame, 73-56:

  1. The Flames finish non-conference play winless against Division I teams, going 0-12 against Division I opponents.
  2. Liberty now has 11 straight losses. Under Coach Layer last season, the Flames lost 12 straight at one point during the year.
  3. LU played much better throughout the game, particularly in the first half, than they did against VCU on Sunday evening, keeping the game even through the first 10 minutes or so. The Irish put some cushion between themselves and the Flames as Liberty missed several close shots. Notre Dame went into the halftime break leading 32-23 after leading by as much as 13 points in the first 20 minutes.
  4. The Irish went on an 11-0 run in the first 90 seconds of the 2nd half to stretch lead to 20 and the game was decided at that point. Liberty did keep the game within 20 most of the rest of the way, and the 17 point final margin was well within the point spread of 30.
  5. In the 7 games prior to the VCU game, Ryan Kemrite did not reach double figures in any game and was averaging just over 5 points per game over those 7 games. The redshirt-sophomore has busted out of that scoring slump in a big way against the Rams and the Irish. Kemrite scored 17 points on 7/10 shooting against VCU and had 10 points and 8 rebounds against the Irish. In order to have any success in conference play, Liberty desperately needs someone like Kemrite to step up consistently to assist Dawson and Maxwell.
  6. Evan Maxwell. So impressive for him to play as well as he did against ACC competition tonight. He had 15 points and 8 rebounds while shooting 7/15 from the field. Can’t wait to see Maxwell against Big South foes this year and to watch his career develop the next 2 seasons. It’s great to see him not back down from ACC competition.
  7. John Dawson has struggled with foul trouble through his first 4 games with the Flames. He had 2 fouls in the first half of 3 of the 4 games, finishing with 4 fouls in his first game and fouling out of his 2nd game. It’s forced Coach McKay to reduce his minutes as he hasn’t played 30 minutes in a game yet this season.
  8. Dawson had his toughest game, finishing with just 3 points on 1/8 field goal shooting, 0/3 from 3, and 1/5 from the free throw line. He was shadowed by Notre Dame’s top perimeter defender, V.J. Beachem, most of the game. Beachem is a 6’8″ wing with incredible length and quickness giving Dawson fits throughout the game. Dawson is also averaging 4 turnovers per game in his first 4 games.
  9. Caleb Homesley set a new career-high with 18 points while shooting 8/12 from the field. The true freshman also grabbed 5 boards. Hopefully this isn’t an isolated incident, but he will be able to turn a corner and provide a consistent offensive weapon for the Flames.
  10. Conference play begins Saturday as Liberty hosts UNC-Asheville. The Bulldogs are 7-5 on the season before playing Furman tonight and Longwood on New Year’s Eve. The Flames have lost 7 straight to UNCA.