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 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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