Flames basketball tops FGCU 61-46 in defensive battle

Despite committing an uncharacteristic 12 turnovers, the Liberty Flames men’s basketball (21-3) team overwhelmed Florida Gulf Coast University (7-17), leading wire-to-wire in their 61-46 victory Saturday night in the Vines Center.

Guard Georgie Pacheco-Ortiz continued his hot hand, scoring 16 points on eight shots, including four-for-six from 3-point range. Caleb Homesley scored 14 points of his own, despite shooting only one-for-five from three.

Setting an early tempo on both sides of the ball, the Flames defense smothered the Eagles in the first half, opening up a 33-14 lead at the break. 

“Our defense tonight was outstanding,” Homesley said. “(We were) able to get back, rally, rally to the ball, get the ball stopped early and then ultimately finish the play.”

The Eagles attempt at a second-half comeback showed some potential, with the Eagles outscoring the Flames 32-28 in the final 20 minutes. But FGCU couldn’t overcome their abysmal shooting, especially from 3-point range, where they shot only 21%.

Despite being mostly equal in rebounding, and with both teams committing double-digit turnovers, the difference in the game came in points-off-turnovers, where Liberty scored 20 points off the 16 turnovers they created, while the Eagles could not score a single point from turnovers.

The win keeps the Flames tied with North Florida at the top of the ASUN standings (both teams are currently at 7-2). Liberty is one of three teams with 21 wins on the season, alongside nationally-ranked No. 2 Gonzaga and No. 4 San Diego State University.

The Flames will embark on a two-game road trip to Jacksonville University and the University of North Alabama, before returning back home Saturday, Feb. 15, against NJIT. That game will tip off at 7 p.m.

Wylie is the assistant sports editor. Follow him on Twitter.