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Liberty University
Lipscomb
McGhee Sets Program All-Time Scoring Record, Bisons Edge Flames 69-64
2/4/2023 10:15:49 PM | Men's Basketball
Darius McGhee Record-Breaking Graphic & Video
Darius McGhee Record-Setting Shot
Liberty’s Darius McGhee etched his name in the record books by becoming the program’s new all-time leading scorer, but the Flames were edged 69-64 by the Lipscomb Bisons at Allen Arena on Saturday evening.
McGhee, who entered the night needing nine points to break Karl Hess’ record of 2,373 career points which had stood for 43 years, scored a team-high 19 points tonight and is now No. 1 in program history with 2,384 points. The record-setting moment came at the 13:18 mark of the second half, as McGhee knocked down a three-pointer from the right wing to break out of a tie with Hess and get to 2,376 career points.
Liberty slips to 19-6 overall and 10-2 in the ASUN and sees its seven-game winning streak halted. Meanwhile, Lipscomb improves to 15-10 on the year, 7-5 in league play and 12-1 on its home court during the 2022-23 campaign.
Box Score Highlights
Liberty Individuals: Darius McGhee 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals; Colin Porter 11 points, 3 assists; Kyle Rode 10 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists; Shiloh Robinson 9 points, 3 rebounds; Blake Preston 8 points, 4-5 FG, 9 rebounds; Isiah Warfield 7 points, 3-5 FG, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
Lipscomb Individuals: Derrin Boyd 22 points, 7-10 FG, 5-6 3FG, 5 rebounds; Will Pruitt 16 points, 8-8 FT, 6 rebounds; Jacob Ognacevic 13 points, 4-7 3FG, 7 rebounds
Key Team Stats: Liberty shot 40.7 percent (24-of-59) from the floor and committed 13 turnovers. Lipscomb was 23-of-55 (41.8 percent) from the field. The Flames and Bisons both made 11 three-pointers, but the Bisons connected at a 45.8 percent clip (11-of-24), compared to 36.7 percent (11-of-30) for the Flames. Lipscomb scored 14 points off the 13 Flames turnovers, while the Flames scored 11 points off 12 Bisons miscues. Both teams were successful at the free throw line, with the Bisons making 12-of-13 (92.3 percent) and Liberty going 5-of-6 (83.3 percent) from the charity stripe. The Flames held a 24-22 edge in points in the paint after scoring at least 42 points there in three straight games coming in.
Thoughts From Head Coach Ritchie McKay
“It was a tough one that Lipscomb certainly earned. I think it’s really good for us. We’re not invincible. When you play games that are both physically tough and adversity is presented to you during the game and you have a chance to respond, our group responded terrifically. I like the looks we got done the stretch. I like that we took care of the ball in the second half way better than the first half.”
Turning Point
Clinging to a 56-55 lead with under five minutes to play, the Bisons scored the next seven points in a 43-second span to open up a seven-point advantage, 62-55, with 4:11 to go. During the quick spurt, Will Pruitt converted on a three-point play, and Jacob Ognacevic knocked down a three-pointer. Following a basket from the Flames’ Isiah Warfield, Derrin Boyd hit has fifth and final three of the night at the 3:14 mark to stretch the Lipscomb lead to 65-57.
Liberty clawed back and got within a point with its own 7-0 run over the 2:03, capped off by a pair of free throws from Darius McGhee. After getting a stop on the other end, the Flames had a chance to take the lead. McGhee’s layup with 31 seconds left did not fall. Pruitt converted a pair of free throws on the other end for a 67-64 lead with 19 seconds remaining. Liberty had a chance to tie the game with 11 seconds remaining, but Kyle Rode’s three did not fall. Pruitt made two more free throws with six seconds remaining to preserve the victory for the hosts.
Key Stats & Notes
• Darius McGhee is the program’s new all-time leading scorer with 2,384 points. Karl Hess held the record for 43 years prior to McGhee breaking it tonight.
• McGhee has 1,332 of his 2,384 career points over the last two seasons.
• Liberty remains in a tie for first place in the ASUN standings with Kennesaw State. The Owls (18-7, 10-2 ASUN) fell 77-74 at Eastern Kentucky on Saturday evening.
• The Flames’ 13 turnovers tonight are their most they have committed in the last 15 games. The last time Liberty turned it over more than 11 times was when they had 19 turnovers in a loss at Oral Roberts on Dec. 12.
• Liberty is now 8-6 all-time against Lipscomb and 8-4 against the Bisons in five seasons in the ASUN. Lipscomb’s victory snaps a four-game losing skid to the Flames.
• This is the first time in the last seven games that the Flames have been outrebounded. The Bisons held a slight 34-33 edge on the glass.
• Liberty falls to 3-2 in ASUN road play this season.
Up Next
The Flames will host the Bellarmine Knights (11-14, 6-6 ASUN) on Thursday evening at Liberty Arena. Liberty topped Bellarmine 70-53 in its ASUN opener, Dec. 29.
Main Photo at Top of Story: No. 2 Darius McGhee
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