Liberty University
12-7,6-2ASUN
Austin Peay
11-7,6-2ASUN
Liberty Scores Final 6 Points to Pull Out 71-66 Victory at Austin Peay
1/26/2023 10:46:53 PM | Women's Basketball
For the second game in a row, Liberty’s clutch plays down the stretch enabled the Lady Flames to defeat an ASUN Conference leader. Kennedi Williams’ driving layup with 57 seconds left produced the contest’s 14th lead change and initiated a 6-0 game-ending run as Liberty pulled out a 71-66 win over Austin Peay, Thursday evening at the Winfield Dunn Center.
Liberty improves to 12-7 overall and 6-2 in ASUN play after its season-best fourth consecutive win. The Lady Flames, who shot well from three-point range (8-of-16 for 50 percent) and the foul line (17-of-19 for season-best 89.5 percent), became the first visiting ASUN team ever to win at Austin Peay and halted the Governors’ five-game winning streak.
Austin Peay falls to 11-7 overall and 6-2 in conference play. The ASUN’s top defensive team at 55.5 ppg allowed yielded its most points since a 74-31 loss to Duke on Dec. 8. The Governors missed two shots and committed a turnover during the final minute with the outcome hanging in the balance.
Box Score Highlights
Liberty Individuals: Emma Hess – 14 points, 4-7 3FG; Mya Berkman – 14 points, 2 blocks, 5-8 FG; Alise Markova – 8 points, 3-4 FG, 2-2 3FG; Jordan Bailey – 8 points, 4-4 FT; Dee Brown – 7 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 5-6 FT; Kennedi Williams – 5 points, 6 assists.
Austin Peay Individuals: Mariah Adams – 17 points, 5 assists, 6-7 FT; Anala Nelson – 13 points, 2-2 3FG; Shamarre Hale – 10 points, 9 rebounds; Jada Roberson – 10 points, 4 rebounds.
Key Team Stats: Austin Peay also shot well from three-point range (7-of-12 for 58.3 percent), but could not match Liberty’s proficiency at the charity stripe, going 13-of-19 for 68.4 percent. The Lady Flames committed a season-low nine turnovers and tallied 19 points off turnovers to the Governors’ 10. Liberty won the rebounding battle (32-29) and posted 19 second-chance points off 14 offensive boards. The Lady Flames rejected a season-high seven shots.
Turning Point
Hale’s hoop from close range with 1:19 left in the contest gave Austin Peay its final lead of the night at 66-65.
Williams’ driving right-handed layup on Liberty’s ensuing possession turned out to be the game-winner for the Lady Flames.
The Governors missed two potential go-ahead shot attempts on their next offensive trip, with Pien Steenbergen collecting the second miss.
Audrey Clark, who entered the night shooting 40 percent (4-of-10) from the free throw line this season, calmly hit a pair of attempts with 12.6 seconds left.
Now trailing by three (69-66), Austin Peay did not get to attempt a game-tying shot. Berkman deflected a pass and Steenbergen grabbed the loose ball.
Hess then sealed the hard-fought win with two foul shots at the 0.8-second mark.
Game Summary
First Quarter
- Liberty and Austin Peay each owned five-point leads during a back-and-forth opening 10 minutes of play. The Governors emerged with an 18-16 advantage, getting nine points from Mariah Adams.
- The Lady Flames made their first five field goal attempts of the night and shot 63.6 percent (7-of-11) during the opening stanza.
Second Quarter
- Both teams shot well during a high-scoring second period, with Liberty knocking down 50 percent (8-of-16) and the Governors checking in at 58.3 percent (7-of-12).
- The Lady Flames closed out the half with a 9-0 run, taking a 42-36 lead into the locker room at the intermission.
Third Quarter
- The host Governors quickly erased their halftime deficit, retaking the advantage at 43-42 on Yamia Johnson’s jumper from the paint at the 8:22 mark.
- But it was the Lady Flames who closed the period strongly once again. Kennedi Williams’ corner triple following a Bella Smuda blocked shot gave Liberty its largest lead of the stanza (57-51) heading to the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter
- Liberty shot just 4-of-16 from the floor during the final period, enabling Austin Peay to come back from a 61-52 deficit to reclaim the lead briefly on Hale’s hoop with 1:19 to play.
- But the Lady Flames made their final field goal of the night (Williams’ layup) and their last four clutch free throws to win their first-ever meeting with the ASUN newcomer Governors.
Notes and Nuggets
- Hess’ 14 points marked her most ever in an ASUN contest.
- Berkman scored in double figures for the 10th straight game with her 14 tallies.
- Williams’ six assists marked her fifth consecutive game with 5+ assists and her ninth in the last 10 outings.
- Markova’s eight points were her most since tallying a career-high 11 at James Madison on Nov. 23.
- Brown tied a season high with her five assists.
- Five of Liberty’s 12 wins this season (Salem, Washington, SIUE, FGCU and Austin Peay) have marked their first-ever victory against that opponent.
- The Lady Flames became the first Liberty squad to visit Clarksville during Austin Peay’s inaugural season in the ASUN Conference.
- Liberty is now 7-0 this season when scoring 70+ points.
- The Lady Flames have shot 50 percent or better from three-point range in each of their last three outings.
Up Next
The Lady Flames will wrap up their Tennessee swing Saturday at 3 p.m. Eastern when they visit Lipscomb (13-7, 7-1 ASUN) for their first contest at Allen Arena since Feb. 29, 2020. Liberty is 8-0 all-time versus the Bisons, who are tied with FGCU for first place in the ASUN standings.
Featured in Main Photo: #25 Alise Markova
