Liberty University
14-5,6-2ASUN
Jacksonville
9-9,3-5ASUN
Liberty Completes Sweep over Jacksonville
1/30/2021 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Liberty completed the sweep over Jacksonville, to move into first place in the ASUN Conference, defeating the Dolphins 64-58. Liberty improves to 14-5 and 6-2 in the ASUN while Jacksonville drops to 9-9 and 3-5 in conference.
First Half
Liberty's offense got off to a better start than Friday night's contest, jumping out to an early 12-6 lead. Liberty held Jacksonville close to a six-minute scoring drought, as the Flames jumped extended their lead to 19-11 midway through the half. Liberty then experienced its own scoring drought, going seven minutes without a made field goal. Liberty's defense was exceptional all throughout the second half, holding Jacksonville to 33 percent from the floor and just eight field goals. Liberty put an exclamation point on the first half as Darius McGhee hit a three-pointer at the buzzer, going into halftime with a 28-19 lead over the Dolphins.
Second Half
Jacksonville started the half on a 7-0 run, cutting into Liberty's lead (28-26). Liberty was able to regroup and respond with a 9-0 run, taking a 10-point lead (39-29) with 14 minutes left in the game. McGhee got hot late in the game, scoring eight straight points, helping Liberty hold onto its lead. McGhee was exceptional all throughout the 2nd half, scoring 16 points, shooting 60 percent from the field. Liberty held an eight-point lead with 2:43 left in the game and Jacksonville did its best to make comeback, shrinking Liberty's lead to three points (60-57) with 43 seconds left in the game but Liberty's clutch shooting from the free-throw line proved to be the difference maker at the end of the game.
Key Stats & Notes
- This was Liberty's first ASUN sweep on the road this season.
- Darius McGhee scored a career-high 25 points.
- Kyle Rode led Liberty with six rebounds and four assists.
- Liberty shot a perfect 12-12 from the free throw line.
- McGhee moved to No. 33 on Liberty's all-time scoring list with 867 career points.
- Liberty's bench outscored Jacksonville's bench 15-3.
Thoughts from Head Coach Ritchie McKay
"I am pleased that we got two (wins) on the road. Jacksonville is a hard-playing team, like most of our league is. You look around the country, it is hard to win on the road, especially in these back-to-backs. I am proud of our group, I think we were 13-52 from three this week and that is a complete aberration. I watch this team everyday in practice and we are a better shooting team. To win two games on the road when you shoot like that, I think that is growth."
Up Next
Liberty will return to Lynchburg next week as the Flames host North Florida. Tipoff against the Ospreys is set for 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5, and can be seen on ESPN+.
