[A.G.]

Finally a moment to soak up some positive feelings.

OK. Touchy-feely moment over. Let's talk about the theories why we put it together vs the Highlanders.

TBGBG had an interesting remark that has been in the front of my mind about Brew. Not sure if that is an issue, but it is quite intriguing that the game he was out, is the game the team re-discovered some chemistry. Of course, we may have won by 30 had he been in the line-up.

Perhaps Paradox is right about the team needing more time than expected to jell with Brew in the mix.

[Sly Fox]

Ding-Dong, the streak is dead ...

Flames Snap Losing Streak With Win Over Rival Radford, 80-66

January 9, 2007
Lynchburg, Va.


Smith collected first career double-double in win

The Liberty Flames (7-9, 1-1 BSC) snapped their eight-game losing streak and pushed their home record to 7-1 as they defeated the Radford Highlanders (5-12, 0-2 BSC) on Tuesday evening at the Vines Center in the heated rivalry, 80-66.

The Flames didn’t waste any time getting started as they staked themselves to a quick 7-0 lead capped with a transition lay-up by Alex McLean with 17:33 left in the opening period.

Liberty extended its lead over the next 13 minutes as they held a 15-11 advantage capped by a transition dunk by Anthony Smith on a pass from B.J. Jenkins, giving Liberty a 22-11 lead with 4:06 left in the first half.

The Flames closed out the half holding a 7-6 advantage as Liberty scored a basket by Tyler Baker off a Larry Blair pass with four seconds left to take a 29-17 lead into the break.

The Flames broke a streak of seven-straight halves where they allowed opponents to shot over 50 percent as the Highlanders shot only 31.6 percent on 6-of-19 shooting. The last time an opponent shot under 50 percent was on December 28 when the Flames faced Seton Hall at the BYU Holiday Classic. Tonight marks the first time since December 18 at Buffalo that the Flames led at halftime.

The Flames opened the half on a big 16-6 run capped by an Alex McLean put back to make it 45-23 with 13:42 left in the game.

The Highlanders then went on a 14-6 run finished off by a lay-up by Martell McDuffy with 9:05 left in the game making it 51-38 Flames advantage.

The Flames then went on an 11-7 run capped by a Blair three-point basket with 5:01 left in the game making it a Liberty 63-48 advantage. Blair was fouled by Amir Johnson on the shot but missed the ensuing free throw despite leading the Big South Conference in free throw shooting at 89.1 percent.

The Flames survived a foul barrage by Radford late in the game as the Highlander tried to get back in the game as Liberty held a slight 19-17 advantage over the remaining five minutes as McLean scored the last points of the game with four seconds left to seal the 80-66 victory.

The Flames shot an astounding 59.4 percent in the second half on 19-of-32 shooting and Radford stepped up its second half shooting hitting on 48.6 percent of its attempts on 18-of -37 shooting.

The Flames were led by Blair who scored 21 points on 8-of-17 shooting, while grabbing four rebounds and tying a career high with 10 assists. Blair last dished 10 assists last season in the Flames’ 88-54 victory. Smith tallied his first career double-double as he scored 17 points and grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds and dished a career-high five assists. McLean chipped in 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds while Tyler Baker scored seven points in 14 minutes to round out the top performers.

The Highlanders had three players in double figures led by Kenny Thomas who scored 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting, while Chris Oliver scored 17 points with seven rebounds. Reggie McIntyre chipped in 15 points and grabbed four rebounds while only playing the second half after arriving from the Roanoke airport at halftime.

The Flames are back in action on Saturday evening when defending Big South champions the Winthrop Eagles come to the Vines Center. Tip is set for 7 p.m.

http://libertyflames.com/index.cfm?PID= ... 4&TeamID=6

[Cider Jim]

Smith had FOUR dunks tonight, and the last one looked like Dominque Wilkins in a Flames uniform. I've been watching LU games for 22 years, and I can't ever recall one player having 4 dunks in a single game.

[thepostman]

I just got home from work a few minutes ago and saw we won by 14 and was very happy...then I saw that Brew did not play and I began to think to myself, "the first win we get is when Brew sits out another game hmmm" I have yet to see Brew play in person so I do not know what kind of game he brings to the table....but all I know is when he was out we won, when he was in we lost....touchy issue I know....

with that said Brew or not, if we would've lost this game it would've topped the UNC-Asheville loss this pass weekend....simply because its at home and Radford...excuse me FREAKING Radford....isn't that good...

[Purple Haize]

How can you even question WHY we won??? It was the rockous crowd tonite!! geez, some people look to deep into things!

[thepostman]

haha...good point...throw everything else out

[krh44]

I enjoyed the Anthony Smith Dunk fest especially the dunk where he drove the baseline. We looked good at times but our defense was lacking at times. Hard to play a great game in front of a non -student crowd.

[PAmedic]

glad to see the guys and Coach D get a nice win.

and we KNOW why they won- the jinx himself wasn't watching!

works every time.

you're welcome

[SuperJon]

The second I got there TDDance said, "Brew's out" and pointed to him. We all immediately felt better about the game. Throughout the game, especially afterwards, we were wondering who would bring the fact up that we've lost one game without Brew and 8 with him. I told TDDance at BWW that I was willing to put money on it that it would be on here by the time I got home. Looks like I was right.

[PAmedic]

oh no you dih-ihnt.

I'm not getting involved in THIS discussion.

being nice to the little kids gives him a free pass in my book. At least for now

give'em a chance.

[SuperJon]

I've been denying that being the problem for a while to a few friends who have thought it. I still don't think it's the problem (competition has quite a bit to do with that), but I can't help but at least have it cross my mind.

[thepostman]

I am still giving him a chance...but it is just odd that it worked out this way...we would've won regardless I think....or that is what i would like to think

I know Brew came here to play point...but I really don't think that is the place for him...From what I have read anyways...I have yet to see him play in person or on tv for that matter so I will still play the wait and see game on that...personally i think LB should be playing point and have always felt that way, especially since he does have NBA hopes and that is what position they will want him to play

[TDDance234]

And all witnessed my amazing free throw skills.

[JDUB]

HA! my roomate was at the game and called and said some dude at the game couldn't hit a freethrow to win a steak dinner! guess that would be you

[TDDance234]

Hey, I won.

I did get a free dinner. But probably was me. I was as cold as ice.

[TDDance234]

Someone needs to get Manger some new digs. The other manager was way better dressed. Someone buy that kid a shirt and tie.

[SuperJon]

HA! my roomate was at the game and called and said some dude at the game couldn't hit a freethrow to win a steak dinner! guess that would be you

You're thinking of the guy that was shooting for the car. He had to make a free throw and 3-pointer to get the Crown Sterling dinner.

[JDUB]

probably

[SuperJon]

Someone needs to get Manger some new digs. The other manager was way better dressed. Someone buy that kid a shirt and tie.

Manger has a shirt and tie, I've seen it.

We should've ragged him on it when we saw him at B-Dubs but we didn't.

[thepostman]

mmmm b-dubs....now i'm hungry thanks a lot SJ

[SuperJon]

Wing Night baby.


Now I just have to pray they didn't run my card twice.

[JDUB]

have they done that to you too?

[thepostman]

yeah i went there a few days ago....bad choice...like i said earlier tonight, i have 5 bucks left til monday....who am i kidding it was WELL worth it

[SuperJon]

The waiter goes back and runs my card but runs it for TDDance's bill instead of mine. Then he goes back and runs it again as mine and says he fixed it.

I don't trust him, so I didn't tip worth a crap (even though I tipped 15%).


OIP ran my card twice one night, and anytime someone takes it for a second swipe, I'm pretty cauitous.

[LU'sbestmanager]

Someone needs to get Manger some new digs. The other manager was way better dressed. Someone buy that kid a shirt and tie.

Manger has a shirt and tie, I've seen it.

We should've ragged him on it when we saw him at B-Dubs but we didn't.

haha... you guys are funny. it's not up to me what we wear