Wednesday, December 10
Raleigh, N.C.
7:00 PM ET
Liberty University
6-3,0-0CUSA
45
at
85
NC State
7-3,0-0ACC
1
2
F
Liberty
19
26
45
NC State
45
40
85
Flames Drop Road Contest to Wolfpack, Wednesday Night
12/10/2025 10:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RALEIGH, N.C. – The Liberty Flames dropped an 85-45 decision to the host NC State Wolfpack on Wednesday evening at the Lenovo Center.
Liberty falls to 6-3 on the year after the loss in its first true road game of the 2025-26 season. Meanwhile, NC State improves to 7-3 overall and 6-0 at home and has won back-to-back games.
JJ Harper and Brett Decker Jr. led the Flames with 12 points apiece. Ven-Allen Lubin and Matt Able shared game-high honors with 13 points each in the win for the Wolfpack.
Box Score Highlights
Liberty Individuals: JJ Harper 12 points, 6-9 FT, 4 rebounds; Brett Decker 12 points, 3-8 3FG
NC State Individuals: Ven-Allen Lubin 13 points, 6-9 FG, 6 rebounds, 2 steals; Matt Able 13 points, 4 rebounds; Quadir Copeland 11 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists; Tre Holloman 11 points; Darrion Williams 9 points, 8 rebounds
Key Team Stats: Liberty shot a season-worst 35.3 percent (18-of-51) from the field as well as season worsts from three-point territory (21.4 percent, 6-of-28) and the free throw line (30 percent, 3-of-10). NC State shot 51.7 percent (31-of-60) from the field, 41.7 percent (10-of-24) from deep and 68.4 percent (13-of-19) from the foul line. NC State held advantages in rebounding (42-31), assists (17-14), steals (9-3), points in the paint (42-24), bench points (35-13) and second chance points (8-2). Both teams had eight fast break points and three blocks each. The Flames committed a season-high 17 turnovers, leading to 21 Wolfpack points. NC State only had eight turnovers, good for eight Liberty points.
Turning Point
A 25-6 Wolfpack first half turned a 6-6 tie into a 31-11 advantage with 5:42 to play in the frame. The run lasted 10:55. NC State stretched the lead to 26, 45-19, at the half.
The home side scored 19 of the first 22 second half points to push the lead to 64-22 with 13:22 remaining.
Key Stats & Notes
The Flames' next contest will be on Tuesday night at home against Midway (3-7). Game time is 6 p.m. from Liberty Arena. The contest can be seen on ESPN+.
Liberty falls to 6-3 on the year after the loss in its first true road game of the 2025-26 season. Meanwhile, NC State improves to 7-3 overall and 6-0 at home and has won back-to-back games.
JJ Harper and Brett Decker Jr. led the Flames with 12 points apiece. Ven-Allen Lubin and Matt Able shared game-high honors with 13 points each in the win for the Wolfpack.
Box Score Highlights
Liberty Individuals: JJ Harper 12 points, 6-9 FT, 4 rebounds; Brett Decker 12 points, 3-8 3FG
NC State Individuals: Ven-Allen Lubin 13 points, 6-9 FG, 6 rebounds, 2 steals; Matt Able 13 points, 4 rebounds; Quadir Copeland 11 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists; Tre Holloman 11 points; Darrion Williams 9 points, 8 rebounds
Key Team Stats: Liberty shot a season-worst 35.3 percent (18-of-51) from the field as well as season worsts from three-point territory (21.4 percent, 6-of-28) and the free throw line (30 percent, 3-of-10). NC State shot 51.7 percent (31-of-60) from the field, 41.7 percent (10-of-24) from deep and 68.4 percent (13-of-19) from the foul line. NC State held advantages in rebounding (42-31), assists (17-14), steals (9-3), points in the paint (42-24), bench points (35-13) and second chance points (8-2). Both teams had eight fast break points and three blocks each. The Flames committed a season-high 17 turnovers, leading to 21 Wolfpack points. NC State only had eight turnovers, good for eight Liberty points.
Turning Point
A 25-6 Wolfpack first half turned a 6-6 tie into a 31-11 advantage with 5:42 to play in the frame. The run lasted 10:55. NC State stretched the lead to 26, 45-19, at the half.
The home side scored 19 of the first 22 second half points to push the lead to 64-22 with 13:22 remaining.
Key Stats & Notes
- Brett Decker Jr. (12 points) is the only Flame to score in double figures in all nine games this year.
- JJ Harper was 6-of-9 from the floor on his way to scoring 12 points. The redshirt senior is shooting 65 percent on the year.
- In each of Liberty's three losses, its opponent has shot over 50 percent. The Wolfpack shot 51.7 percent (31-of-60) tonight.
- The 40-point margin of defeat was the Flames' worst since falling by 45 points, 101-56, to Alabama at the C.M. Newton Classic on Dec. 30, 2023.
- Liberty's 19 first half points were its fewest in a half since scoring 17 in the first half against Manhattan in the ASUN/MAAC Challenge in Orlando, Fla. on Nov. 20, 2021. The Flames lost that game 76-60.
- The Flames' 45 points are their fewest in a game since a 48-43 loss at Stetson on Jan. 25, 2020.
- The Flames' 17 turnovers tonight are the most since committing 18 turnovers in a 58-45 home CUSA win over FIU on Feb. 22, 2025. Liberty had entered the game leading the nation in fewest turnovers per game (8.5) before committing a season-high 17 turnovers tonight.
- Liberty came into the came fifth nationally in threes per game (12.5) but only made six tonight. The Flames entered the night at 54.7 percent from the field on the season, second best nationally. Liberty shot nearly 20 percent (35.3 percent) below its season average.
- Liberty falls to 0-3 all-time against NC State.
The Flames' next contest will be on Tuesday night at home against Midway (3-7). Game time is 6 p.m. from Liberty Arena. The contest can be seen on ESPN+.
Team Stats
Lib
NCSU
FG%
.353
.517
3FG%
.214
.417
FT%
.300
.684
RB
31
42
TO
17
8
STL
3
9
Game Leaders
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
5
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
4
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
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