Liberty defeats Kennesaw St 81-73
Liberty Overcomes Road Hurdles, Beats Kennesaw St 81-73
In a closely contested conference matchup at the Liberty Arena, the Flames proved their home-court advantage was more than just a slogan, defeating visiting Kennesaw State 81-73.
Liberty took control from the onset, leading by as many as 17 points in the first half. The home team's balanced attack allowed them to maintain this lead throughout, with standout forward Zach Cleveland leading the charge. Cleveland poured in 20 points, shooting an impressive 69.2% from the field and grabbing seven rebounds.
The Owls' Simeon Cottle kept his team in the game, scoring 22 points on a chilly 5-for-15 three-point attempt. However, Kennesaw State's inability to keep pace with Liberty's offense ultimately proved too much to overcome.
Liberty's strong rebounding, particularly from Cleveland and Kaden Metheny, played a significant role in their victory. The Owls struggled to secure rebounds, allowing the Flames to grab 33 on both ends of the floor. This disparity led to more points in the paint for Liberty, who outscored Kennesaw State 32-32.
The difference in efficiency between the two teams was stark. Liberty shot an impressive 51.0% from the field, while their opponents managed just 34.0%. The Flames' free throw shooting was also a key factor, as they converted on 79.0% of their attempts.
Despite trailing by up to 17 points in the first half, Kennesaw State refused to give up, narrowing the gap to just eight points at halftime. However, Liberty's strong defense and offense proved too much for the visitors, ultimately securing a hard-fought conference victory.
Advanced Statistics
Liberty's advanced statistics tell a similar story to their overall performance: they shot an efficient 58.5% from effective field goal percentage (eFG%), while Kennesaw State struggled at just 40.0%. The Flames' free throw rate of 45.3% was also significantly higher than the Owls', highlighting their advantage in this aspect.
Conclusion
Liberty's victory serves as a reminder that home-court advantage is real, especially in conference matchups. Despite trailing by as many as 17 points, Kennesaw State showed heart and grit but ultimately came up short. The Flames' balanced attack and strong rebounding led to the difference-maker in this closely contested game.
As the Owls head back on the road, they'll look to regroup and refocus for their next challenge. Meanwhile, Liberty will aim to maintain their home-court momentum, which now stands at 6-1 against visiting teams this season.