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Liberty University
3-1
Vanderbilt
4-0
Vandy Hands Liberty First Loss of the Season
11/19/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Liberty was handed its first loss of the season as the Flames fell to SEC foe Vanderbilt 79-70 Monday night at Memorial Gymnasium. The Flames (3-1) hung with the undefeated Commodores all night during Vanderbilt's smallest win margin this season.
Turning Point
Vanderbilt's Darius Garland led the charge all night for the Commodores, scoring a career-high 33 points to go along with four assists and four rebounds. After Liberty trailed by four at half (37-33), Vanderbilt got hot from three-point range, shooting 45.5 percent during the second half led by Garland's 18 second half points. Liberty struggled from three-point range, hitting just 26.9 percent (7-26) from beyond the arc.
Key Stats & Notes
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Scottie James consecutive field goal makes streak ended at 17 straight
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James led Liberty with nine rebounds.
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The Flames outscored Vanderbilt 32-26 inside the paint.
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Liberty's bench outscored the Commodore's bench 25-7.
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Vanderbilt shot 50 percent for the game (26-52), while the Flames shot 43.5 percent (27-62).
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For the second straight game, Liberty was out-rebounded (39-29).
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Twelve of Liberty's first 14 points came from inside the paint.
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During the first half, Liberty scored 12 straight points inside the paint.
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Vanderbilt shot 53.8 percent (14-26) in the first half, while Liberty shot 46.7 percent (14-30).
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Three Liberty players scored double figures led by Lovell Cabbil Jr. with 16 points.
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Darius McGhee scored a career-high 15 points to go along with three rebounds, three steals and one block.
Thoughts from Coach McKay
"I thought we battled tonight but I did not think we were in our lanes. I told our players that if got into an open gym then Vandy would have the advantage because of the fantastic players they have. If you look at draft boards, Darius Garland is right up there as a top-10 lottery pick and (Simisola) Shittu is as good as talked about. They have great talent and I felt like we just got out of character and we didn't quite stay in our lane."
Up Next
The Flames will return home for two straight home games to close out the Commodore Classic, starting on Friday, Nov. 23, against Alcorn State. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. at the Vines Center.
