Liberty University
High Point
Lytle, Baker Spark Liberty to 1st Road Win, 76-66 at High Point
12/16/2020 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Liberty seniors Emily Lytle (25) and Ashtyn Baker (19) combined for 44 points, leading the Lady Flames to a wire-to-wire 76-66 victory at High Point, Wednesday evening at the Millis Center. Liberty's first road win of the 2020-21 season came at the expense of an old Big South Conference rival.
Liberty improves to 4-3 with its third consecutive victory overall. Paced by Mya Berkman (12 points, eight rebounds), the Lady Flames controlled the interior, dominating the points in the paint (36-10) and second-chance points (18-4) categories.
High Point falls to 2-3 despite sinking 13 three-pointers. Preseason Big South Player of the Year Skyler Curran was held seven points below her season scoring average, finishing with 15 points on 4-of-14 shooting from the field.
Box Score Highlights
Liberty Individuals: Lytle – 25 points, 7 rebounds; Baker – 19 points, 8-12 FG, 3 steals; Berkman – 12 points, 8 rebounds; Bridgette Rettstatt – 7 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists.
High Point Individuals: Jenson Edwards – 19 points, 4-7 3FG, 5 rebounds, 4 assists; Curran – 15 points, 5 rebounds; Jordan Edwards – 15 points, 4 assists.
Key Team Stats: Liberty shot 48.2 percent (27-of-56) from the field, including 53.3 percent (16-of-30) during its 45-point second half. High Point attempted 38 of its 55 field goals from three-point range. Both teams shot well from the foul line, including 84.6 percent (11-of-13) for High Point and 81 percent (17-of-21) for the Lady Flames. Liberty won the rebounding battle, 35-29, and turned High Point's 18 turnovers into 18 points.
Turning Point
It was a one-possession game (60-57) with 5:27 remaining in the fourth quarter, following Curran's pair of free throws.
Berkman then hit a trio of layups during the Lady Flames' ensuing 11-2 run, including one which all but put the game out of reach, 71-59, with just 1:50 left to play.
Game Summary
First Quarter
• Liberty led throughout the opening period, taking an 18-14 advantage to the second quarter. The Lady Flames scored seven second-chance points and hit all seven of their free throw attempts during the first 10 minutes of play.
• Twelve of High Point's 13 field goal attempts were from three-point range. Jordan Edwards hit a pair of triples during her 10-point quarter for the host Panthers.
Second Quarter
• Liberty took advantage of Curran being mired on the bench in foul trouble for most of the second period, extending to an eight-point lead (31-23) just before halftime.
• Lytle posted nine points and five rebounds during the opening half, contributing to the Lady Flames' 31-25 halftime lead.
Third Quarter
• Baker scored the Lady Flames' first 10 points of the second half, helping the visitors push out to a 47-35 lead on Lytle's layup at the 2:16 mark.
• Held without a made field goal for the game's first 28 minutes, Curran hit two quick hoops late in the quarter, fueling a late Panthers run. Liberty's lead was back down to six (50-44) heading to the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
• Curran and Jenson Edwards combined for 17 of High Point's 22 fourth-quarter points, combining for four triples during the period.
• But Berkman and Lytle countered with 17 fourth-quarter points of their own for the Lady Flames. Liberty tallied 26 points for the stanza, knocking down 9-of-12 free throws to help seal the victory.
Notes and Nuggets
• Lytle's 20-point game was her third of the season and the 13th of her career. She is now tied with Reggie Gomes and Keyen Green for eighth place on Liberty's all-time 20-point games list.
• Lytle made her first seven free throw attempts of the contest before misfiring during the game's closing seconds. She made her first 22 free throws to begin the season and wrapped up a program-record streak of 34 in a row which dated back to March 7, 2020.
• Lytle's two three-pointers on Wednesday moved her into sole possession of sixth place in program history with 134 career triples.
• Baker scored 15 of her 19 points during the second half, matching her season high for the second game in a row.
• Berkman also matched her season high with a dozen points, eight of which came in the fourth quarter. She knocked down all four of her free throws after entering the game 2-of-13 on the year.
• Liberty improved to 42-14 all-time against the Panthers during the teams' first meeting since March 10, 2018. Baker and Rettstatt were the only two players in Wednesday's game remaining from that matchup in the Big South Championship semifinals.
• Wednesday's game marked Liberty's 33rd and final all-time visit to the Millis Center, as High Point will move into Qubein Arena next season. The Lady Flames are now 27-6 all-time at the facility.
Up Next
The Lady Flames' home game against Belmont Abbey this Saturday has been cancelled.
Liberty's next scheduled game at this point is a visit to William & Mary, slated for Tuesday at noon at Kaplan Arena in Williamsburg, Va.
