Liberty (7-2) got back in the win column on Tuesday night after back to back setbacks in South Florida. The Flames defeated Mississippi Valley State (0-9), 74-39, in front of 2,942 fans at Liberty Arena.
“This one was a much needed game,” said Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay. “Our guys have a propensity, like most of us, to want to please those who support us, those who love us. I think we all felt a little bit deflated after struggling over the weekend against two really good teams. I was really proud of our group. The shots that we normally take and make weren’t going in. We just had a pride on the defensive end I thought was mature.”
The Delta Devils were content to let Liberty shoot from three throughout the evening as they opened the game in a 2-3 zone. Kaden Metheny knocked down his first two triples as Liberty took an early lead. From there, though, the home team struggled from deep in the first half, making just 2 of 13 shots from behind the arc afterwards and went into the locker room with a 29-18 lead at the break. Liberty would add some separation on the scoreboard in the second half to push the lead out over 20 points for the duration of the half, coasting to the win.
Liberty was limited to 25.9% from three, making just 7 of 27 from behind the arc for the game. Four Flames reached double figures, led by Brody Peebles who had 11. Colin Porter, Kaden Metheny, and Gabriel McKay each scored 10.
The Flames return to action on Saturday at Liberty Arena against Grand Canyon. The Antelopes, coached by Bryce Drew, are currently 6-1 on the season and are playing against San Diego State Tuesday night. Saturday’s game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. tip-off and will be televised on ESPNU. This game is part of the CUSA-WAC challenge.
GABRIEL McKAY CONTINUES STRONG PLAY
The son of head coach Ritchie McKay, Gabriel McKay continues to play well for the Flames off the bench. He wasn’t one that many would have counted on to see significant time on the court this season, but he has earned his time on the court.
There was a stretch, late into the second half Tuesday night, where the Liberty guard hadn’t missed a field goal for the last three games. That streak did come to an end with a missed three pointer from the left wing in the second half.
McKay tied a career high with 10 points on the night against Mississippi Valley State, shooting 2 of 3 from the field, both triples, while also making all four of his free throw attempts. He led the team with a +23 on the evening.
“It’s super easy to have confidence in yourself when every other one of those guys does,” Gabriel McKay said. “They are all feeding it to every single one of us. We have belief in each other, just doing what you do every day, and taking the shots we like regardless of the result we are going to be happy.”
FLAMES OVERCOME COLD SHOOTING NIGHT
Kaden Metheny drained the first two field goal attempts for the Flames, three pointers early in the contest. After those makes, Liberty struggled to find the range from behind the arc. Liberty would make just 5 of 25 the rest of the night, finishing the game at 25.9% from three. Those numbers marked season lows for the Flames in both three pointers made and three point percentage.
“We are fairly judicious in allowing our guys to shoot because we have great belief in them,” Coach McKay said. “That’s what we recruit and develop, but you’re going to have games like that. There’s NBA teams, those guys that are paid to play at the highest level, that have tough nights. To still win by whatever, I just thought it was a testament to our commitment on the defensive end and finding something else that was working to pull away.”
LIBERTY GETS BACK ON TRACK
After opening the season with six straight wins including the Myrtle Beach Invitational championship, everyone was feeling good. Those good vibes and feelings came to a halt last week in Boca Raton, Florida when the Flames lost two straight against No. 13 Florida Atlantic and College of Charleston on back to back nights. The win on Tuesday against MVSU allowed the Flames to get back in the win column.
