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Liberty University
2-2,0-0ASUN
Southern Miss
4-0,0-0Sun Belt
Southern Miss Overcomes Furious Liberty Rally, Prevails 76-72
11/18/2022 11:13:26 PM | Men's Basketball
Head Coach Ritchie McKay Press Conference
Southern Miss overcame a furious Liberty rally and prevailed 76-72, Friday evening at Liberty Arena.
The Flames trailed by 26, 52-26, early in the second half before going on a 26-0 run to even up the game at 52-52. Liberty took a 61-59 lead following a four-point play from Darius McGhee with 5:23 to play, but the Golden Eagles made some key baskets down the stretch to come away with the victory.
Liberty drops to 2-2 on the year and loses its first game at home (2-1) this season. Southern Miss remains unbeaten with a 4-0 record. Friday evening’s contest was a part of the Cancun Challenge’s United States-based games.
Flames sophomore guard Brody Peebles had a night to remember with career highs in points (24), three-pointers (6) and field goals made (8). Darius McGhee scored a season-high and game-high 29 points for the Flames and sank 10-of-11 free throws.
Box Score Highlights
Liberty Individuals: Brody Peebles career-high 24 points, 8-9 FG, 6-7 3FG; Darius McGhee 29 points, 10-11 FT; Joseph Venzant 2 points, 10 rebounds
Southern Miss Individuals: Austin Crowley 25 points, 9-17 FG, 4-8 3FG; Felipe Haase 23 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 8-16 FG
Key Team Stats: The Flames shot 60 percent (15-of-25) in the second half and 48.9 percent (22-of-45) for the game. Southern Miss finished the game at 46.4 percent (26-of-56). Liberty committed a season-high 16 turnovers, 10 of which came in the opening half. The Flames’ bench outscored the Golden Eagles’ reserves 32-12, led by a career night from Brody Peebles (24 points). Southern Miss took advantage of Liberty turnovers and scored 22 points off 16 Flames turnovers. Liberty scored 14 points off nine Golden Eagles turnovers.
Thoughts From Head Coach Ritchie McKay
“I’m not sure I’ve ever been in a game where a team was down 26 in the second half and came back to the take the lead. Our group has a ton of character, and I think they showed it tonight. That could have very easily been a game in which we gave up or we doubted at some point in the second half and lost our way. Credit to Southern Miss for the way they played, but I’m proud of our guys. I think we’re going to be a really good team.”
Turning Point
After Liberty’s Kyle Rode knocked down a pair of free throws to trim the Southern Miss lead to 70-67, the Flames came up with a defensive stop. Liberty missed its next three-point attempt which would have tied it back up. The Golden Eagles’ Felipe Haase connected on a fadeaway two-pointer from the corner as the shot clock expired with 40.6 seconds left to give the visitors a 72-67 advantage.
The Flames’ Shiloh Robinson knocked down a three-pointer with 34 seconds to go to get the hosts within two (72-70). Southern Miss’ Donovan Ivory knocked down three of four free throws in the closing seconds to make it a 75-72. Darius McGhee’s three-point attempt did not fall with 14 seconds remaining. The Golden Eagles’ DeAndre Pinckey made 1-of-2 foul shots with 12.5 seconds left for a 76-72 lead, and Liberty turned the ball over in the closing seconds.
Key Stats & Notes
• Liberty trailed 52-26 with 17:29 remaining in the game before scoring 26 unanswered points. The Flames’ 26-0 run lasted 8:36 and finally came to an end with a basket from USM’s Haase at the 8:53 mark. During the 26-point run, Liberty received 11 points each from Brody Peebles and Darius McGhee and two points apiece from Joseph Venzant and Isiah Warfield.
• Prior to Peebles’ 24-point outburst tonight, his previous career high was 18 points versus Delaware State during his freshman campaign (Dec. 6, 2021). He is the second Flame to knock down six triples in a game this season, joining McGhee, who knocked down six in Monday evening’s win over NC Central. Of Peebles’ 24 points, 16 came after intermission.
• McGhee now has 37 career 20+ point games. Tonight’s contest was McGhee’s 100th career start.
• This is the second straight game McGhee has recorded a four-point play. The Roxboro, N.C. native made ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 Plays listing on Monday evening with his four-point play.
• Joseph Venzant grabbed 10 rebounds tonight, his second career game with 10 or more rebounds. His career high is 11, set against Stephen F. Austin during his freshman campaign (Dec. 11, 2021).
• This was the second-ever meeting between Liberty and Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles take a 2-0 lead in the all-time series.
• Tonight’s setback was the Flames’ fourth ever at Liberty Arena. Liberty is 28-4 all-time at the facility since it opened for the 2020-21 season.
Up Next
Liberty will head to Cancun, Mexico for the 2022 Cancun Challenge. The Flames will face the Northwestern Wildcats (4-0), Tuesday evening. Tipoff is slated for 8:30 p.m. at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya and can be seen on CBS Sports Network.
On Wednesday, the Flames will face either No. 13 Auburn or Bradley depending on Tuesday’s results.
Main Photo at Top of Story: No. 1 Brody Peebles
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