MBB Game Day: Louisiana Tech

Game Day Coverage

Liberty at Louisiana Tech (Thomas Assembly Center | Ruston, La.
Tipoff: Saturday at 8:05 p.m. EST/7:05 p.m. CST
TV: ESPNU
Radio: LFSN Radio
Live Stats

Liberty Storylines

Liberty (14-2, 2-1 CUSA) will play its second CUSA road contest at preseason CUSA favorite Louisiana Tech (12-4, 1-2 CUSA). The Flames and Bulldogs split a pair of meetings last year, with each team prevailing on its home floor.
This will be the third all-time meeting between the two schools. The series is even 1-1. Last year's two meeting were decided by a combined seven points. Louisiana Tech won the first matchup, edging the Flames 80-76 in overtime at the Thomas Assembly Center (Jan. 14, 2024). Liberty led 68-63 with 3:09 remaining in regulation, but LA Tech scored six of the final seven points in regulation to force overtime. In overtime, Sean Newman Jr. scored six points to help the hosts to victory. Liberty was led by Kyle Rode with 20 points, followed by Zach Cleveland's 18 points, six boards and four assists.
The second meeting between the two teams at Liberty Arena was a memorable one (Feb. 10, 2024). Flames guard Kaden Metheny hit the game-winning three from the right wing with 2.1 seconds left, lifting Liberty to a 65-62 victory. Metheny led the way with 21 points, and Rode added 18 points. Louisiana Tech led by as many as nine on four occasions in the second half.
The Flames won their CUSA road opener on Thursday, topping Sam Houston 76-68. The victory snapped the Bearkats' 17-game home conference win. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs earned their first CUSA victory, besting FIU 81-64.
Colin Porter led the way for Liberty vs. Sam Houston, matching a season high with 17 points. The junior was 4-of-4 from the field (3-of-3 from three-point land) and 6-of-6 from the foul line and had five assists and three steals. Owen Aquino (10 points, 12 rebounds) recorded his fourth double-double of the year, and Taelon Peter provided 15 points off the bench.
Head coach Ritchie McKay (258-129) has exactly double as many wins at Liberty as he does losses. McKay is one win from tying the Liberty men's basketball record for victories as head coach. Jeff Meyer (259 wins, 1981-97) holds the record, and McKay's next victory will tie Meyer.
The Flames continue to rank in the top 10 nationally in: effective field goal percentage (No. 2, 59.3), fewest fouls per game (No. 5, 12.4), scoring defense (No. 7, 59.9), winning percentage (No. 7, 87.5), scoring margin (No. 10, 19.9) and threes per game (No. 10, 10.9).
Liberty is 65th in the nation in the current NCAA Men's Basketball NET Rankings. The Flames debuted at No. 53 in the first set of rankings on Dec. 2. Liberty is also No. 66 in the KenPom rankings. Louisiana Tech is No. 135 in the NET and No. 130 in KenPom.
Kaden Metheny ranks 12th in the nation in total threes (51) and 13th in threes per game (340). He is second in CUSA in both categories.
Colin Porter ranks 20th in the country and second in CUSA in assist/turnover ratio (3.27).
Liberty is 12-0 this season when outshooting its opponent.
The Flames are 3-0 on the road this season, including a 1-0 Conference USA road mark. Last year, Liberty was 2-8 away from home and 1-7 in CUSA road games.
Liberty has won 163 games since the start of the 2018-19 season, tied for seventh most nationally.
Owen Aquino is averaging 10.3 ppg and 11.7 rpg over his last three games.
This will be Liberty's 14th all-time game on Jan. 11. The Flames sport a 10-3 record on this date and have won five straight. Liberty last played on Jan. 11 in 2022, a 71-56 home triumph over ASUN foe North Florida. Shiloh Robinson led the way with a game-high 21 points, which was a new career high at the time. Darius McGhee added 18 points and eight rebounds.

Schedule

Players Mentioned

Owen Aquino

Zach Cleveland

Kaden Metheny

Taelon Peter

Colin Porter

Shiloh Robinson

Kyle Rode

MBB Game Day: Louisiana Tech

Players Mentioned

Owen Aquino

Zach Cleveland

Kaden Metheny

Taelon Peter

Colin Porter

Shiloh Robinson

Kyle Rode

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