Liberty defeats Jax State 78-69
Liberty Outlasts Visiting Jax State 78-69 in Thrilling Conference Showdown
In a hard-fought conference matchup, Liberty University hosted the visiting Jax State Tigers at their home arena on Tuesday night, and the Flames came out on top with a narrow 9-point victory.
The game was a back-and-forth affair from the opening tip, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a significant advantage. At halftime, the score was tied 27-27, setting the stage for a thrilling second half.
Liberty's Zach Cleveland was instrumental in the Flames' resurgence, scoring 10 points and grabbing 7 rebounds while also dishing out 7 assists. Meanwhile, Jax State's Emondrek Erkins-Ford led his team with 24 points, including 72.7% shooting from the field.
The largest lead of the game came at one point when Liberty held a 11-point advantage, but Jax State refused to back down. The Tigers clawed their way back into the contest, narrowing the gap to just 5 points before ultimately falling short.
In terms of advanced statistics, both teams struggled with three-point shooting, with Liberty making just 36% of their attempts and Jax State converting at a meager 32%. However, the Flames' free throw shooting proved decisive, as they made 79% of their attempts from the line to outscore Jax State.
Liberty's balanced attack was on full display, with four players scoring in double figures. The team's strong rebounding effort, led by Cleveland's 10 boards, also played a crucial role in securing the victory.
For the visiting Tigers, the loss marked the second straight game they've been unable to secure an upset win. Despite the tough margin, Jax State showed signs of resilience and determination, leaving fans hopeful for a turnaround in their fortunes.
As the conference season heats up, Liberty's win over Jax State serves as a testament to their growing strength and depth. The Flames will look to build on this momentum when they take on their next opponent, while Jax State will seek to bounce back from another close loss.