Women’s basketball falls to FGCU 74-65 in 3-point shootout

It’s difficult to play with the pace and fitness required to compete in DI women’s basketball. It’s even harder when numerous players on the team are suffering with the flu. 

This was a feeling the Liberty Flames women’s basketball team experienced firsthand in its 74-65 loss to the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles Saturday. A number of players on the team were fighting the flu during the game, including junior guard Ashtyn Baker, who received an IV after the game to help combat the illness. 

“Ashtyn had not even really been at practice for two days,” Head Coach Carey Green said after the game. “She just showed up, shot a little bit this morning and played. … She’s a warrior.”   

In spite of sickness, the Liberty Flames still managed to lose by only nine points to the No. 24-ranked FGCU. FGCU has won 10 games in a row and its last 35 Atlantic Sun matchups, but the Flames kept the game close for the first half, with the Eagles only running away with the game in the third quarter. 

The Flames struggled with turnovers throughout Saturday’s game, however. Liberty allowed 14 turnovers in the first half alone and another six in the second half. 

“The turnovers really hurt us,” Green said. “When we weren’t turning the ball over, we were controlling the tempo of the game.” 

Another aspect of the game that impeded a victory for the Flames was the Eagles hot 3-point shooting, connecting on 14 of their 38 attempts. The Eagles only scored one two-point shot in the first half, even though they scored a total of 34 points in that span. 

“They certainly shot the ball from the 3-point range a lot and (it) made a recognizable difference in the game,” Green said in the postgame conference. “Both teams scored 23 baskets – they (FGCU) scored five more 3s. That’s five (extra) points.”

“They kind of got on a run with some 3s,” redshirt junior Emily Lytle said after the game. “We should have shut that down. … They didn’t do anything. It was just us sagging off.” 

One bright spot for the Flames was Lytle’s performance. Lytle scored 19 points for her team as well as 10 rebounds. She was a major asset to this team and her execution granted the team with the opportunity to remain competitive in a game that may have otherwise been more lopsided. 

“It just comes down to me putting in the work outside of practice,” Lytle said. “It gives me the confidence to say that I’ve made this shot 1,000 times. I can do it in the game.” 

Lytle has never lacked for confidence, and her coach took notice of her willingness to lead the charge offensively.

“She came out with a lot of desire,” Green said. “She was showing great leadership. … She was ready to play two days ago. She was certainly determined. She did a great job leading us today.”

Lytle had the word “Mamba” written on her shoes during the game, in reference to the tragic helicopter accident that ended the life of the future Hall-of-Famer Kobe “the Black Mamba” Bryant. She said her family has always supported the Los Angeles Lakers, and Kobe’s 24 was also her jersey number during her high school basketball career. She admires Bryant’s consistency and dedication, and that fueled her performance on Saturday.

“There’s always purpose (when playing),” Lytle said. “It just went a little deeper this time. … He was definitely someone I looked up to.”

Lytle said the team needs to stay consistent and focused on their effort as the team prepares for the next game.  

The Flames played Kennesaw State at home Monday and will next play two road games before returning home Saturday, Feb.15, as part of a double-header with the men’s team in the Vines Center against NJIT. The women’s game begins at 2 p.m.

Shields is a sports reporter.