Liberty opened up the 2023-24 men’s basketball season with a 103-43 win over Mid-Atlantic Christian on Monday night. It was a simple tune-up for the team’s season as the Flames hope to contend for a conference championship in the program’s first year in Conference USA.

“I felt like it was a solid effort,” said Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay. “We had some opening night jitters it looked like, missed a few layups, turned the ball over, I want to say six times in the first 10 or 12 possessions. That’s what happens when you have some newness, we will settle in.”

The visiting Mustangs kept things interesting in the opening minutes, trailing by just one at 15-14 with 10 minutes left in the first half. Liberty struggled to find their footing offensively early, committing 5 turnovers in the opening minutes. Things would flip for the home team, closing the first half on an extended 33-5 run to enter the halftime break with a 48-19 lead. The strong play for the Flames would continue into the second half as the lead would only extend.

Brody Peebles would lead the team in scoring with 20 points on 4 of 10 shooting from 3. He would be joined in double figures by Zach Cleveland’s 13 while Shiloh Robinson, Zander Yates, and Gabriel McKay each had 10. Joseph Venzant and Robinson tied for the team lead with 9 rebounds.

Liberty finished the night shooting 55% from the field and 50% from three while making 17 of 34 from range. The Flames also held a 52-22 rebounding edge and 26-3 advantage in second chance points.

The Flames return to action on Friday against Charlotte at 4:30 p.m. at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina in the “He Gets Us” Hall of Fame Series.

SOPHOMORES WILL BE FUN TO WATCH

We saw a lot from Colin Porter and Zach Cleveland as true freshmen last year, and it looks as though they will take a considerate step this year. Each one had flashes of game time where they looked like the team’s best player on the court.

As the team’s point guard, Porter can affect the game whether or not he is scoring, there will be games he leads the team in scoring though. He had 3 turnovers in the opening minutes but quickly corrected and finished the game with just the 3 cough-ups. Porter had 9 points and 5 assists on the night while making 3 of 4 shots and 2 of 3 from three.

Cleveland is very explosive and is a fan favorite. He can handle the ball, pass, rebound, and attacks the rim with vengeance. The sophomore from Normal, Illinois, finished the evening with 13 points and 4 rebounds on 5 of shooting from the field.

“Zach earned the starting spot,” McKay said. “Shiloh Robinson is really good. I thought he was good at both ends. I think it was his first college start, I thought he was a little out of character. But, that kid, I’m telling you, he’s a special player. I don’t anticipate a four-turnover night, but I do think he plays with a recklessness that I actually like. I think he really helped our cause.”

FRESHMEN TO REDSHIRT

Liberty’s class of true freshmen – Curtis Blair, Jaylen Davis, and Kai Yu – were not in uniform for the Flames in the season opener Monday night. Instead, the trio were seated on the bench with the light blue polos. Following the game, Coach McKay said he is planning to redshirt all three.

“They are a really important part of our future,” said McKay. “Hard decision to make because I think they are close. I just don’t want to put them in the spot where they have regret if they didn’t get the opportunity to play as much as they would have wanted. We’ve done that in the past with guys, it’s fared them well. I’m excited about Jaylen Davis, Curtis Blair III, and Kai Yu. I think they are all going to be really good players.”

COMPETITION PICKS UP FRIDAY

After opening the year against a non-Division I team, things will pick up considerably beginning Friday as the Flames. take on Charlotte in a neutral site game in Charlotte. The 49ers won 22 games last year and the postseason CBI under head coach Ron Sanchez, a Tony Bennett disciple. Sanchez has left Charlotte and went to Virginia as associate head coach as the 49ers promoted assistant Aaron Fearne this summer to fill in his spot.

“We’ve still got a ways to go, but we will get a big test on Friday in the Hornets’ Arena,” said McKay. “I know our guys are looking forward to that challenge.”

MCKAY POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE