Liberty wins third straight ASUN Tournament Championship
Liberty defeats UNA to win its third straight ASUN Tournament ChampionshipJACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Top-seeded Liberty defeated No. 5 North Alabama, 79-75 to claim the programโs third consecutive ASUN Tournament Championship. ASUN Player of the Year, Darius McGhee, proved his worth by leading the Flames in scoring with 21 points. However, North Alabama is in year two of a four-year transition to Division I, making them ineligible for postseason play until 2023. However, the Flames still added to the trophy case by defeating North Alabama for the third time this season.
The Latest: NBA's Hornets ready to welcome fans again
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, right, passes the ball over Charlotte Hornets center Bismack Biyombo, second from right, as Hornets forward P.J. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___The Charlotte Hornets are getting set to welcome fans for home games. The Hornetsโ reopening plan has been approved by state and county authorities and allows the team to host fans at 15% capacity, approximately 3,000 per game. โWe are excited about the opportunity to welcome more fans to our outdoor venues,โ the university said in a written statement. AdTuesday nightโs game will be the first game with fans in attendance at PPG Paints Arena since last March.
Liberty ends final home game with win over Northern Alabama
LYNCHBURG, Va. โ For the second straight season Liberty has gone unbeaten at home as the Flames completed the sweep over North Alabama, defeating the Lions 74-54. Liberty improves to 19-5 and 10-2 in conference while North Alabama drops to 10-10 and 6-8 in conference. First HalfAfter scoring 29 points on Monday against North Alabama, Darius McGhee stayed hot scoring 11 of Libertyโs first 15 points of the game. Libertyโs defense frustrated North Alabama throughout the half as the Lions shot 32 percent from the floor while Liberty shot 45 percent. Liberty shot 48 percent from three (16-33) while holding UNA to 25 percent (5-20).
Berkmanโs big day leads Liberty to series sweep of UNA
LYNCHBURG, Va. โ With Liberty trailing North Alabama by nine early in the second quarter of Sundayโs series finale at Liberty Arena, Mya Berkman went to work. โข Berkmanโs 11 rebounds set a new career high and a new Liberty Arena record. Bond had set the previous Liberty Arena mark with her 10 boards for North Alabama on Saturday. The Lady Flames also trailed Lipscomb by nine during a 76-66 overtime victory on Jan. 3 at Liberty Arena. โข The home team is now 15-0 at Liberty Arena, including an 8-0 mark for the Liberty menโs basketball team and a 7-0 record for the Lady Flames.
Liberty aiming to not only win but โPass the Testโ on Saturday
LYNCHBURG, Va. โ While the Flames imprved to 3-0 last week with a win over North Alabama, Coach Hugh Freeze was honest with his team in his evaluation. โI told them I thought we did not pass the test Saturday. We got the win which was good but didnโt pass the test,โ Freeze said. They trust us, we trust them,โ said Flames running back Peytton Pickett. Thatโs pretty much going to be the standard for the game,โ said Flames defensive end Jayod Sanders.
Liberty moves to 3-0 after a 28-7 win over North Alabama
LYNCHBURG, Va. โ In the first meeting between the two teams on the gridiron, the Liberty Flames defeated the North Alabama Lions 28-7. This is the first time since 2017 that Liberty has started the season 3-0. Ferguson finished with 3 passing TDs. While the passing game wasnโt quite as effective, the rushing attack was relentless. For the third straight game, running back Joshua Mack tallied more than 100 yards (130) while the team finished with 250 yards.
Liberty football adds two new opponents to complete 10-game schedule
LYNCHBURG, Va. The Liberty Flames are set for a 10-game schedule on the gridiron this season. The addition of Coastal Carolina and North Alabama completes a revised 10-game schedule for the Flames in 2020, which includes five home games and five road games. Wednesdays announcement gives Liberty its third scheduled match-up against the Flames former Big South rival Coastal Carolina. Liberty posted wins in Conway, S.C., in 2008 and 2014, while Coastal Carolina left Lynchburg with a victory in 2005 and 2013. Liberty originally had North Carolina A&T, Bowling Green, UMass and UConn on its original 2020 schedule.