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Thursday, February 19
Lynchburg, Va.
6:00 PM ET
Liberty University
23-3,15-0CUSA
90
vs
89
FIU
12-14,5-10CUSA
1
2
OT 1
F
FIU
40
40
9
89
Liberty
41
39
10
90
Photo by: aweitzz photography
Liberty Wins in Dramatic Fashion, 90-89 in OT Over FIU For 17th Straight
2/19/2026 10:46:00 PM | Men's Basketball
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Liberty Flames topped the FIU Panthers in dramatic fashion, 90-89 in overtime for their 17th straight win. The Flames claim at least a share of the CUSA regular season title with the triumph.
With the victory, Liberty remains perfect in conference play at 15-0 while also sporting an unblemished 13-0 home mark. The Flames (15-0 CUSA) hold a five-game lead over second place Sam Houston (10-5 CUSA) with five games to play, meaning they can earn the outright regular season title for a second straight year with either a win on Saturday over Western Kentucky or a Sam Houston loss to Jacksonville State Saturday.
The Flames improve to 23-3 on the season and extend their winning streak to 17 games, the second longest streak in the nation at present. Liberty has now claimed 20 straight games (including postseason) in conference play, the longest league winning streak in the nation.
The Flames trailed by five, 80-75, with less than 40 seconds to play in regulation before evening the game and forcing overtime.
FIU slips to 12-14 overall and 5-10 in conference following the narrow setback. The Panthers had a chance to win the game as time expired in overtime, but Corey Stephenson's look from straight on hit off the back rim.
Both regular season games this year between the Flames and Panthers went to overtime and were decided by a combined four points. This is the first time since the 1995-96 season (against Winthrop) and the fourth time in program history that Liberty went to overtime with the same team in the same season. This is the first time in Flames basketball history that they have defeated the same team in overtime twice in the same season.
Score Highlights
Liberty Individuals: Zach Cleveland 18 points, 8-10 FG, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block; JJ Harper 16 points, 6-9 FG; Brett Decker Jr. 16 points, 8-8 FT; Kaden Metheny 15 points, 5-10 3FG; Colin Porter 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals; Josh Smith 7 points, 3-6 FG, 7 rebounds; Ryan Jones Jr. 6 points, 2-4 3FG
FIU Individuals: Corey Stephenson 23 points, 5-10 3FG, 6-6 FT, 6 rebounds, 4 steals; Zawdie Jackson 21 points, 6-6 FT, 3 assists; Hamed Olayinka 18 points, 8-12 FG, 3 blocks, 2 steals; Eric Dibami 6 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals; Brit Harris 7 points, 8 rebounds
Key Team Stats: Liberty shot 50.8 percent (30-of-59) for the night, its 17th game at 50 percent or better. The Flames are 17-0 when shooting 50 percent or higher. Liberty shot exactly 50 percent (14-of-28) for the game from three and was 72.7 percent (16-of-22) from the foul line. FIU shot 45.1 percent (32-of-71) from the field, 42.1 percent (8-of-19) from three-point land and 89.5 percent (17-of-19) from the free throw line. The Flames turned the ball over 15 times, their most in a CUSA game this year and second most this season. The Panthers had 16 turnovers. FIU held a 20-17 edge in points off turnovers and also led in rebounding (42-29), points in the paint (42-32) and second chance points (18-5). Liberty held edges in bench points (17-16) and fast break points (11-6). The Flames assisted on 19 of their 30 made field goals, compared to only 10 assists on 32 baskets for the visiting Panthers. The game featured 19 lead changes, the most in a Liberty game this season, and 12 ties, the second most in a contest this year. Liberty led for 21:43, and FIU held the advantage for 16:56.
Turning Point
FIU took an 80-75 lead with 1:21 left in regulation following two free throws from Hamed Olayinka. The Panthers got a stop on the other end and had a chance to extend the lead, but Zawdie Jackson's jumper in the paint at the 45-second mark would not fall. Liberty answered on the other end, as Kaden Metheny buried a crucial three with 38.9 seconds left to the hosts within two, 80-78. Olayinka of the Panthers missed the front end of a one-and-one, but FIU got a big stop on the other end to keep it a two-point lead.
On the ensuing play, Jackson was assessed a flagrant foul and offensive foul on Brett Decker Jr., giving the Liberty sophomore a pair of free throws, which he connected on to tie at 80-all, and the ball. The Flames had a chance to go ahead in the closing seconds, but Colin Porter's three was off to the left, giving FIU a chance to win it. Corey Stephenson's three-pointer did not fail as time expired in regulation.
In overtime, Kaden Metheny buried a go-ahead three for an 88-86 lead with 1:36 left. The Liberty defense came up back-to-back stops, and Colin Porter knocked down a pair of foul shots to bump the lead to 90-86 with 19.5 seconds remaining. FIU missed on a three with an opportunity to trim the lead to one, but the Panthers' Brit Harris was fouled while shooting a three with 7.7 seconds to go. Harris knocked down all three to make it a one-point game, 90-89. The Flames' JJ Harper missed both of his free throws on the other end. The Panthers looked to win the game, but Porter made another big defensive play on Jackson, knocking the ball out of bounds with 1.1 seconds remaining in the overtime session. On the inbounds pass, Jackson found Stephenson, but his three-point attempt clanged off the back of the win, sealing the win for Liberty.
Key Stats & Notes
Up Next
Liberty (23-3, 15-0 CUSA) will look to capture the outright Conference USA regular title for the second straight year when in hosts Western Kentucky (15-11, 8-7 CUSA) on Saturday. Game time is 4 p.m. at Liberty Arena. The contest will be carried live on ESPN+.
The Flames won the first matchup on the road at WKU by a 76-69 score, Jan. 21.
CUSA Championship Ticket Information
Ticket packages for the 2026 CUSA Men's and Women's Basketball Championships are now on sale. Both the Flames and Lady Flames will look to defend their conference tournament titles at Propst Arena in Huntsville, Ala., March 10-14.
Fans can purchase an all-session booklet through the Liberty Ticket Office for $175, a savings of $25. This includes tickets to all nine men's games and all nine women's games throughout the tournament. To purchase tickets and find more information, please visit http://www.libertyflames.com/CUSABasketball.
Students will be able to purchase tickets for the tournaments on a session-to-session basis. These may be purchased at Propst Arena with a valid student ID (of a CUSA school) for half the price of the current day's session.
With the victory, Liberty remains perfect in conference play at 15-0 while also sporting an unblemished 13-0 home mark. The Flames (15-0 CUSA) hold a five-game lead over second place Sam Houston (10-5 CUSA) with five games to play, meaning they can earn the outright regular season title for a second straight year with either a win on Saturday over Western Kentucky or a Sam Houston loss to Jacksonville State Saturday.
The Flames improve to 23-3 on the season and extend their winning streak to 17 games, the second longest streak in the nation at present. Liberty has now claimed 20 straight games (including postseason) in conference play, the longest league winning streak in the nation.
The Flames trailed by five, 80-75, with less than 40 seconds to play in regulation before evening the game and forcing overtime.
FIU slips to 12-14 overall and 5-10 in conference following the narrow setback. The Panthers had a chance to win the game as time expired in overtime, but Corey Stephenson's look from straight on hit off the back rim.
Both regular season games this year between the Flames and Panthers went to overtime and were decided by a combined four points. This is the first time since the 1995-96 season (against Winthrop) and the fourth time in program history that Liberty went to overtime with the same team in the same season. This is the first time in Flames basketball history that they have defeated the same team in overtime twice in the same season.
Score Highlights
Liberty Individuals: Zach Cleveland 18 points, 8-10 FG, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block; JJ Harper 16 points, 6-9 FG; Brett Decker Jr. 16 points, 8-8 FT; Kaden Metheny 15 points, 5-10 3FG; Colin Porter 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals; Josh Smith 7 points, 3-6 FG, 7 rebounds; Ryan Jones Jr. 6 points, 2-4 3FG
FIU Individuals: Corey Stephenson 23 points, 5-10 3FG, 6-6 FT, 6 rebounds, 4 steals; Zawdie Jackson 21 points, 6-6 FT, 3 assists; Hamed Olayinka 18 points, 8-12 FG, 3 blocks, 2 steals; Eric Dibami 6 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals; Brit Harris 7 points, 8 rebounds
Key Team Stats: Liberty shot 50.8 percent (30-of-59) for the night, its 17th game at 50 percent or better. The Flames are 17-0 when shooting 50 percent or higher. Liberty shot exactly 50 percent (14-of-28) for the game from three and was 72.7 percent (16-of-22) from the foul line. FIU shot 45.1 percent (32-of-71) from the field, 42.1 percent (8-of-19) from three-point land and 89.5 percent (17-of-19) from the free throw line. The Flames turned the ball over 15 times, their most in a CUSA game this year and second most this season. The Panthers had 16 turnovers. FIU held a 20-17 edge in points off turnovers and also led in rebounding (42-29), points in the paint (42-32) and second chance points (18-5). Liberty held edges in bench points (17-16) and fast break points (11-6). The Flames assisted on 19 of their 30 made field goals, compared to only 10 assists on 32 baskets for the visiting Panthers. The game featured 19 lead changes, the most in a Liberty game this season, and 12 ties, the second most in a contest this year. Liberty led for 21:43, and FIU held the advantage for 16:56.
Turning Point
FIU took an 80-75 lead with 1:21 left in regulation following two free throws from Hamed Olayinka. The Panthers got a stop on the other end and had a chance to extend the lead, but Zawdie Jackson's jumper in the paint at the 45-second mark would not fall. Liberty answered on the other end, as Kaden Metheny buried a crucial three with 38.9 seconds left to the hosts within two, 80-78. Olayinka of the Panthers missed the front end of a one-and-one, but FIU got a big stop on the other end to keep it a two-point lead.
On the ensuing play, Jackson was assessed a flagrant foul and offensive foul on Brett Decker Jr., giving the Liberty sophomore a pair of free throws, which he connected on to tie at 80-all, and the ball. The Flames had a chance to go ahead in the closing seconds, but Colin Porter's three was off to the left, giving FIU a chance to win it. Corey Stephenson's three-pointer did not fail as time expired in regulation.
In overtime, Kaden Metheny buried a go-ahead three for an 88-86 lead with 1:36 left. The Liberty defense came up back-to-back stops, and Colin Porter knocked down a pair of foul shots to bump the lead to 90-86 with 19.5 seconds remaining. FIU missed on a three with an opportunity to trim the lead to one, but the Panthers' Brit Harris was fouled while shooting a three with 7.7 seconds to go. Harris knocked down all three to make it a one-point game, 90-89. The Flames' JJ Harper missed both of his free throws on the other end. The Panthers looked to win the game, but Porter made another big defensive play on Jackson, knocking the ball out of bounds with 1.1 seconds remaining in the overtime session. On the inbounds pass, Jackson found Stephenson, but his three-point attempt clanged off the back of the win, sealing the win for Liberty.
Key Stats & Notes
- Liberty claims its seventh regular season (or division) title in the last eight years. The Flames have 11 total titles in that span (seven regular season, four conference tournament).
- The Flames are 26-1 in their last 27 games against conference foes dating back to last year.
- The Liberty defense held FIU to 2-of-18 shooting from the field over the final 5:34 of regulation and in overtime. The Panthers were 1-of-7 from the floor in overtime but did convert 7-of-7 free throws in the extra session.
- Zach Cleveland led Liberty in scoring with 18 points and led all players with eight assists, his 17th game this year with seven or more assists.
- JJ Harper finished the night with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting. The redshirt senior is averaging 17.7 points per game over his last three.
- Colin Porter finished the night as a team-best +13 for Liberty in his 36:11 of action. Porter had a season-high four steals to go along with eight points, three rebounds and three assists.
- The Flames are the first team to go 15-0 or better to start CUSA competition since the 2012-13 Memphis team (16-0).
- This was Liberty's first one-point win in league play this year. The Flames improve to 6-1 on the year in games decided by five points or less. Eight days ago, Liberty edged NM State 77-75 on the road in another close one.
- FIU grabbed 17 offensive rebounds tonight, giving them 37 in two regular season meetings with the Flames.
- Liberty's 17-game winning streak is now the longest in program history by three games.
- This is the second straight year Liberty has swept the regular season series from FIU. The Flames improve to 6-3 all-time versus the Panthers, including a 5-1 mark in CUSA action.
- Ryan Jones Jr. provided a spark off the bench in the first half with six points on 2-of-4 shooting from deep, his highest offensive output in a Conference USA game. The redshirt freshman entered the night with seven total points in 10 appearances in league games.
- This is Liberty's 200th win over the last eight seasons, fifth most nationally in that span.
Up Next
Liberty (23-3, 15-0 CUSA) will look to capture the outright Conference USA regular title for the second straight year when in hosts Western Kentucky (15-11, 8-7 CUSA) on Saturday. Game time is 4 p.m. at Liberty Arena. The contest will be carried live on ESPN+.
The Flames won the first matchup on the road at WKU by a 76-69 score, Jan. 21.
CUSA Championship Ticket Information
Ticket packages for the 2026 CUSA Men's and Women's Basketball Championships are now on sale. Both the Flames and Lady Flames will look to defend their conference tournament titles at Propst Arena in Huntsville, Ala., March 10-14.
Fans can purchase an all-session booklet through the Liberty Ticket Office for $175, a savings of $25. This includes tickets to all nine men's games and all nine women's games throughout the tournament. To purchase tickets and find more information, please visit http://www.libertyflames.com/CUSABasketball.
Students will be able to purchase tickets for the tournaments on a session-to-session basis. These may be purchased at Propst Arena with a valid student ID (of a CUSA school) for half the price of the current day's session.
Team Stats
FIU
Lib
FG%
.451
.508
3FG%
.421
.500
FT%
.895
.727
RB
42
29
TO
16
15
STL
11
9
Game Leaders
Pts
18
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
16
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
8
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
5
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballCoach McKay Talks About The Win Over FIU
Friday, February 20
Zach Cleveland & Kaden Metheny Talk About The Win Over FIU
Friday, February 20
Zander Carter & Kaden Metheny Talk About Preparing For FIU
Wednesday, February 18
Coach McKay Talks About Preparing For FIU
Wednesday, February 18