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Sunday, March 2
Lynchburg, Va.
1:00 PM ET
Liberty University
23-6,11-5CUSA
80
vs
85
Kennesaw State
17-13,9-8CUSA
1
2
F
Kennesaw St.
39
46
85
Liberty
44
36
80
Strong 2nd Half Lifts KSU Past Liberty 85-80 on Flames’ Senior Day
3/2/2025 4:47:00 PM | Men's Basketball
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Visiting Kennesaw State shot 64.3 percent in the second half to surge past Liberty and prevail 85-80, spoiling the Flames' Senior Day on Sunday afternoon.
The Flames see a six-game winning streak halted and drop to 23-6 overall on the year and 11-5 in league play. Kennesaw State salvages a regular season split with Liberty and improves to 17-13 overall and 9-8 in CUSA action.
Kennesaw State finished the game at 50.8 percent (32-of-63) from the field, only the third time an opponent has shot over 50 percent against Liberty this year. KSU guards Simeon Cottle (24 points) and Adrian Wolley (22 points, seven rebounds and six assists) combined for 46 points. Owen Aquino and Kaden Metheny paced the Flames with 16 points apiece, while Taelon Peter (14 points) and Colin Porter (12 points) both reached double figures as well.
Prior to the start of Sunday's contest, the Liberty men's basketball program honored eight seniors with a special ceremony. Four players (Jayvon Maughmer, Taelon Peter, Gabriel McKay and Kaden Metheny) and four student managers (Tyson Gage, Thomas Bentley, Seth Hildebrand and Luke Yoder) were recognized for their contributions to the program.
Box Score Highlights
Liberty Individuals: Owen Aquino 16 points, 4-7 FG, 8-10 FT, 6 rebounds; Kaden Metheny 16 points, 5-6 FT; Taelon Peter 14 points, 5-5 FG, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals; Colin Porter 12 points, 4-4 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 steals; Zah Cleveland 8 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 blocks
Kennesaw State Individuals: Simeon Cottle 24 points, 9-16 FG, 4-8 3FG; Adrian Wooley 22 points, 8-15 FG, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block; Braedan Lue 13 points, 5-7 FG, 6 rebounds
Key Team Stats: Liberty finished the afternoon shooting 45.8 percent (22-of-48) from the field. The Flames attempted a season-high 36 free throws, making a season-best 27 of those for a 75 percent mark. Liberty shot only 37 percent (10-of-27) from the floor in the second half, including a 26.7 percent mark (4-of-15) from long distance. Kennesaw State finished the afternoon at 50.8 percent (32-of-63) from the field, only the third opponent Liberty has allowed to shoot over 50 percent and the first since Nov. 16 (Florida Atlantic). The Owls entered the game shooting 30 percent from three-point territory on the season but knocked down 37.9 percent (11-of-29) of their attempts today. KSU was 10-of-13 (76.9 percent) from the foul line and held edges in rebounding (35-29), assists (17-15), points in the paint (34-24), points off turnovers (11-9), second chance points (5-4) and fast break points (7-3). Liberty had the edge in bench points, 22-19, and led for longer than Kennesaw State (22:24 for the Flames and 17:18 for the Owls).
Turning Point
Liberty led 10-0 right out of the gate and appeared to be in command of the game early, but Kennesaw State worked its way back into the contest as the opening stanza wore on. The Flames led 44-39 at the break behind 12 points from Colin Porter, who did not miss a shot (3-of-3 FG, 2-2 3FG, 4-4 FT) or free throw in the opening half. Liberty shot 57.1 percent (12-of-21) in the first 20 minutes and knocked down 5-of-9 free deep.
The Owls opened the second half on a 21-4 run to surge ahead 60-48 at the 12:59 mark. During that stretch, KSU connected on 8-of-10 field goal attempts. At one points, the guests made eight straight shots, capped off by a Frankquon Sherman triple for a 65-53 lead with 11:35 on the clock. Sherman's layup at the 10:11 mark gave Kennesaw State its largest lead of the day, 67-53.
Liberty clawed its way within seven, capped off by a Taelon Peter three to trim the deficit to 67-60 with 7:40 left. The Flames eventually got within one, 76-75, with 2:02 left following a pair of Owen Aquino free throws. On the Owls' next trip down, Adrian Wooley scored on a layup to extend the lead to three. Colin Porter of Liberty had a good look from three-point territory to tie the game on the next possession, but it would not fall. Simeon Cottle provided KSU a five-push cushion, 80-75, with a jumper at the 1:03 mark. Liberty got as close as within three (83-80), with 16 seconds left, but a pair of free throws from Ricardo Wright on the other end helped preserved the victory for the visitors.
Key Stats & Notes
The Flames will hit the road for their final two games of the regular season. Up first a matchup with the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (20-9, 11-5 CUSA), Thursday night at the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Tip time is 7:30 p.m. Eastern (6:30 p.m. Central). The game will be carried live on CBS Sports Network.
Liberty upended MTSU 73-63, Jan. 4 at Liberty Arena in the first meeting. The Flames own a 2-1 edge in the all-time series, a series which began last year.
The Flames see a six-game winning streak halted and drop to 23-6 overall on the year and 11-5 in league play. Kennesaw State salvages a regular season split with Liberty and improves to 17-13 overall and 9-8 in CUSA action.
Kennesaw State finished the game at 50.8 percent (32-of-63) from the field, only the third time an opponent has shot over 50 percent against Liberty this year. KSU guards Simeon Cottle (24 points) and Adrian Wolley (22 points, seven rebounds and six assists) combined for 46 points. Owen Aquino and Kaden Metheny paced the Flames with 16 points apiece, while Taelon Peter (14 points) and Colin Porter (12 points) both reached double figures as well.
Prior to the start of Sunday's contest, the Liberty men's basketball program honored eight seniors with a special ceremony. Four players (Jayvon Maughmer, Taelon Peter, Gabriel McKay and Kaden Metheny) and four student managers (Tyson Gage, Thomas Bentley, Seth Hildebrand and Luke Yoder) were recognized for their contributions to the program.
Box Score Highlights
Liberty Individuals: Owen Aquino 16 points, 4-7 FG, 8-10 FT, 6 rebounds; Kaden Metheny 16 points, 5-6 FT; Taelon Peter 14 points, 5-5 FG, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals; Colin Porter 12 points, 4-4 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 steals; Zah Cleveland 8 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 blocks
Kennesaw State Individuals: Simeon Cottle 24 points, 9-16 FG, 4-8 3FG; Adrian Wooley 22 points, 8-15 FG, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block; Braedan Lue 13 points, 5-7 FG, 6 rebounds
Key Team Stats: Liberty finished the afternoon shooting 45.8 percent (22-of-48) from the field. The Flames attempted a season-high 36 free throws, making a season-best 27 of those for a 75 percent mark. Liberty shot only 37 percent (10-of-27) from the floor in the second half, including a 26.7 percent mark (4-of-15) from long distance. Kennesaw State finished the afternoon at 50.8 percent (32-of-63) from the field, only the third opponent Liberty has allowed to shoot over 50 percent and the first since Nov. 16 (Florida Atlantic). The Owls entered the game shooting 30 percent from three-point territory on the season but knocked down 37.9 percent (11-of-29) of their attempts today. KSU was 10-of-13 (76.9 percent) from the foul line and held edges in rebounding (35-29), assists (17-15), points in the paint (34-24), points off turnovers (11-9), second chance points (5-4) and fast break points (7-3). Liberty had the edge in bench points, 22-19, and led for longer than Kennesaw State (22:24 for the Flames and 17:18 for the Owls).
Turning Point
Liberty led 10-0 right out of the gate and appeared to be in command of the game early, but Kennesaw State worked its way back into the contest as the opening stanza wore on. The Flames led 44-39 at the break behind 12 points from Colin Porter, who did not miss a shot (3-of-3 FG, 2-2 3FG, 4-4 FT) or free throw in the opening half. Liberty shot 57.1 percent (12-of-21) in the first 20 minutes and knocked down 5-of-9 free deep.
The Owls opened the second half on a 21-4 run to surge ahead 60-48 at the 12:59 mark. During that stretch, KSU connected on 8-of-10 field goal attempts. At one points, the guests made eight straight shots, capped off by a Frankquon Sherman triple for a 65-53 lead with 11:35 on the clock. Sherman's layup at the 10:11 mark gave Kennesaw State its largest lead of the day, 67-53.
Liberty clawed its way within seven, capped off by a Taelon Peter three to trim the deficit to 67-60 with 7:40 left. The Flames eventually got within one, 76-75, with 2:02 left following a pair of Owen Aquino free throws. On the Owls' next trip down, Adrian Wooley scored on a layup to extend the lead to three. Colin Porter of Liberty had a good look from three-point territory to tie the game on the next possession, but it would not fall. Simeon Cottle provided KSU a five-push cushion, 80-75, with a jumper at the 1:03 mark. Liberty got as close as within three (83-80), with 16 seconds left, but a pair of free throws from Ricardo Wright on the other end helped preserved the victory for the visitors.
Key Stats & Notes
- Liberty's 85 points allowed is a season high and the first time the Flames have surrendered 80 or more points in any game this year. The Flames' previous high allowed was 79 points at Louisiana Tech on Jan. 11.
- Liberty closes out its home regular season portion of the schedule with a 12-3 record at Liberty Arena. Each of the Flames' three home setbacks came in league games. Liberty went 6-3 at home in conference contests.
- The Flames (11-5 CUSA) fall into a tie for second place in the Conference USA standings, a half game back of Jacksonville State (12-5 CUSA). Middle Tennessee (11-5 CUSA) is tied with Liberty for second place. The Flames and Blue Raiders will square off on Thursday evening.
- Owen Aquino posted his best offensive game in league play with 16 points to go along with six rebounds. The junior sank a season-high eight free throws, needing 10 attempts to do so (80 percent).
- Zach Cleveland posted a solid all-around stat line of eight points, nine boards and eight assists. It was his fourth eight-assist game of the year. The junior is averaging 6.3 apg over his last four games.
- Liberty's four seniors honored – Kaden Metheny (16 points), Taelon Peter (14 points), Jayvon Maughmer (six points) and Gabriel McKay (six points) – combined for 42 of the Flames' 80 points.
- KSU picks up its first-ever win at Liberty Arena. Liberty still holds a 10-3 edge in the all-time series and is 5-1 on its home floor versus the Owls.
- The loss snaps a five-game home winning streak for the Flames and is just the 10th ever for Liberty in the facility (69-10).
The Flames will hit the road for their final two games of the regular season. Up first a matchup with the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (20-9, 11-5 CUSA), Thursday night at the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Tip time is 7:30 p.m. Eastern (6:30 p.m. Central). The game will be carried live on CBS Sports Network.
Liberty upended MTSU 73-63, Jan. 4 at Liberty Arena in the first meeting. The Flames own a 2-1 edge in the all-time series, a series which began last year.
Team Stats
KennSt
Lib
FG%
.508
.458
3FG%
.379
.375
FT%
.769
.750
RB
35
29
TO
11
9
STL
6
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
16
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
5
Pts
16
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
8
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
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