Warley and Dale cruise in a blowout victory

The Liberty women’s basketball team defeated the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs 76-44 Saturday. For the Lady Flames, seeing their teammates and friends, seniors Avery Warley and Danika Dale, going out with a victory was every bit as important as clinching the number one overall seed of the Big South Tournament.

Recognition — Avery Warley was one of six seniors who were recognized Saturday for their contribution to Flames sports. Photo credit: Nate Brown

“It was a goal to clinch the number one seed, and it is a great way for the seniors to go in this particular game,” head coach Carey Green said. “We had a great crowd here. We thank the students and community for coming out in appreciation of the contribution of our two seniors, Danika Dale and Avery Warley. I can’t say enough how much I appreciate them and how they contributed to this program.”

Holding the Bulldogs

The Bulldogs were dismal from the field and missed on every occasion. Their first point did not come until the 13-minute mark. Ten points from free throws were all the Bulldogs were able to put up. The Lady Flames held the Bulldogs without a field goal for 16 minutes and, at one point, were on a 32-4 run.

The Bulldogs shot 3-26 (11 percent) from the field and 10-21 (47 percent) from the stripe. For the game, the lady Flames held the Bulldogs to only nine field goals.

“I think we played one of our best halves of our whole season,” Green said. “That first half defensively contesting shots, we were in the right position. We have been working on that for the most part. The first 20 minutes we were pretty good getting into defensive position.”

“I felt good,” Brown said. “It was a big day for a lot of us for our team and we wanted to go out with a bang.”

The lady Flames remain hot, winning the last nine out of 10 games. With two more games left in the regular season, their eyes are set toward the Big South Tournament and a possible run to the NCAA tournament.

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