The Liberty Flames held off the Florida International Panthers 90-89 in a nail-biting contest at Liberty Arena, with Zach Cleveland leading the charge with 18 points and 8 assists. This win marked Liberty's 6th consecutive victory, with their last 5 games seeing them average 77 points per game while allowing 69.8 points per game, outscoring their opponents by 7.2 points on average. Their recent form has been impressive, with wins over UTEP, New Mexico State, and Missouri State, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. In this game, Liberty's ability to score in the paint, with 40 points coming from inside, was a key factor in their victory, as they shot 51.7% from the field.
The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a significant advantage. Liberty took a 41-40 lead into the break, with Cleveland scoring 10 points in the first half. Florida International's Corey Stephenson was also impressive, scoring 12 points in the first half, including 2 three-pointers. The second half saw Liberty push their lead to as many as 7 points, but Florida International refused to back down, with Zawdie Jackson scoring 14 points in the second half to keep his team in the game. With 2:30 remaining, Liberty held a 5-point lead, but Florida International went on a 7-2 run to tie the game with just over a minute remaining.
Liberty's 90-89 Win Over Florida International Marks Their 6th Consecutive Victory
In the end, it was Liberty's balanced attack that was the difference, with 5 players scoring in double figures. Cleveland's 8 assists were crucial, as he found open teammates time and again, including JJ Harper, who scored 16 points on 6-10 shooting. Brett Decker Jr. also chipped in with 16 points, including 4 three-pointers. For Florida International, Stephenson's 23 points and 6 rebounds were not enough, as his team's inability to stop Liberty's inside game ultimately cost them the win. Jackson's 21 points were also notable, but he disappeared in the final 5 minutes, scoring only 2 points. Hamed Olayinka added 18 points for Florida International, but it was not enough to overcome Liberty's strong team performance.
As the game played out, it became clear that CHD Scout's prediction of a 10.7-point Liberty win was off the mark, but their prediction of a Liberty victory was correct.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
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The reason for this discrepancy lies in Florida International's ability to push the pace and score in transition, which caught Liberty off guard at times. Liberty's defense, which had been allowing just 69.8 points per game over their last 5, was breached for 89 points, with Florida International shooting 49.3% from the field. However, Liberty's own offense, which had been averaging 77 points per game over their last 5, was able to keep pace, scoring 90 points on 51.7% shooting. This high-scoring affair was a departure from the predicted score, but the end result was still a Liberty win.
The win for Liberty, their 23rd of the season, keeps them in the hunt for a high seed in the NCAA tournament. With a current NET rank of 77, they are firmly on the bubble, but a strong finish to the season could see them rise into the top 50. For Florida International, the loss drops them to 12-14 on the season, and with a NET rank of 197, their tournament hopes are all but extinguished.
This game was a Quadrant 2 loss for Florida International, and a Quadrant 4 win for Liberty, which will not significantly impact their tournament resume. However, the win does keep Liberty in the mix for a potential at-large bid, should they not win their conference tournament. For Florida International, the loss is a significant blow to their already slim tournament hopes, and they must win out and make a deep run in their conference tournament to have any chance of making the field. With 5 games remaining, Liberty want to continue their winning streak and solidify their position on the bubble, while Florida International must regroup and try to salvage what is left of their season.
In the end, this game will be remembered for its back-and-forth action and Liberty's ability to hold off a determined Florida International team. With 23 wins on the season, Liberty is poised to make a deep run in their conference tournament, and potentially even make some noise in the NCAA tournament. For now, they will celebrate this hard-fought win, and look to continue their winning streak in their next game. The Flames' ability to perform under pressure, with 14 wins in games decided by 5 points or less, is a reflection of their mental toughness, and they must draw on this experience as they head into the final stretch of the season.