Photo Courtesy: Liberty.edu

This time a week ago, FlamesNation was set to embark on a week for the record books. Let’s relive it.

Tuesday, March 5

Photo Courtesy: Myrtlebeachonline.com

No one gave Liberty much of a chance entering the Big South Tournament. KenPom gave Liberty a 0.5% chance to win the tourney. The Flames were slated to play the host Coastal Carolina in the opening round. Davon Marshall and Liberty didn’t care what the “experts” thought as they dispatched Coastal 78-61. Marshall scored 28 points on 5/7 three point shooting.

Wednesday, March 6

An off-date for the both the men & women’s team. The men enjoyed some time at the beach prior to getting back at it on Thursday.

Thursday, March 7

Photo Courtesy: Big South Sports

Next up for the men was a date with #1 seed from the North High Point. The Panthers had already beaten the Flames twice in the regular season, and many thought this would be an easy win to advance Scott Cherry & company into the Semi’s. Wrong. The Flames led by 17 at halftime, and were able to hold off a late High Point charge to win 61-60. Liberty was led by Tavares Speaks’ 17 points.

Friday, March 8
On Friday, it was the women’s turn to take to the court as they faced #9 Gardner-Webb. The Lady Flames had no problem as they made 11 three pointers and defeated the Runnin’ Bulldogs 78-61 to advance to the Semifinals for the 17th consecutive season.

Photo Courtesy: Big South Sports

Saturday, March 9
On Semifinal Saturday, the men faced the hottest team in the league in Gardner-Webb. Coming into the game the Runnin’ Bulldogs had won 8 consecutive games and 11 of 12. That didn’t bother Liberty. Led by John Caleb Sanders’ 19 points, the Flames knocked off Gardner-Webb 65-62 to advance to their first Finals appearance since 2004.

Photo Courtesy: Big South Sports

In the nightcap, the women were led by Devon Brown’s 25 points and 14 rebounds as they knocked off Campbell 70-56.

Sunday, March 10
Championship Sunday. A day that will go down in Liberty Athletics history. At noon, the men faced off with the “best” team in the league, Charleston Southern. Tournament MVP Davon Marshall led the Flames past the Buccaneers 87-76 giving Liberty its 3rd ever Big South Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.

The women would not be outdone as they outlasted Longwood 54-45 to claim their 14th Big South Championship in the past 17 years.

Photo Courtesy: CBS Sports