Can Liberty Flames Maintain Momentum After Edging Out UTEP Miners?
The Liberty Flames secured a narrow victory over the UTEP Miners with a final score of 67-65. The Flames now stand at an impressive record, while the Miners' tally has been affected by this recent loss.
In a game that saw nine lead changes and was tied three times, the Flames showcased their resilience on the court at Don Haskins Center. The first half ended with the Flames ahead, scoring 37 points to the Miners' 29. However, in a dramatic second half, both teams ramped up their efforts with the Miners outscoring the Flames by six points but ultimately falling short.
The Liberty team's statistics reflect a solid performance across various aspects of play. They shot an efficient 48 percent from the field and were particularly effective from two-point range with a 55 percent success rate. From beyond the arc, they managed to hit eight out of twenty-one attempts resulting in a respectable three-point percentage of 38.
Defensively, Liberty managed to block three shots and came away with ten steals which contributed significantly to their seventeen points off turnovers. Their ball distribution was also noteworthy as they tallied twelve assists over the course of play.
Rebounding was an area where both teams showed parity in offensive rebounds; however, defensively speaking, Liberty pulled down twenty-three defensive boards contributing to their total rebound count of twenty-eight against UTEP's thirty-nine.
Free throws were another critical aspect where Liberty had room for improvement as they made eleven out of nineteen attempts which calculated to just under sixty percent accuracy from the line.
A standout element for Liberty was their ability to capitalize on fast breaks scoring eight fast break points compared to UTEP's six. Additionally, despite committing fourteen turnovers themselves, they managed an assist-to-turnover ratio slightly above zero point eight-six indicating decent ball control under pressure.
As fans look forward to what comes next for this resilient team after such a closely contested match-up against UTEP Miners; attention turns towards future engagements on court.