The Liberty University Men’s Basketball team fell to High Point University 72-57 in its season opener in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Nov. 2.
The Flames opened with a turnover before High Point junior guard CJ Brown scored the first basket of the game. The Panthers added more points from senior forward Isaac Garrett to take an early 4-0 lead.
Liberty responded when freshman guard Eli Sancomb converted two free throws to put the Flames on the board. Sophomore guard Zander Carter followed with a layup, and Sancomb added another basket to help Liberty pull even at 6-6.
The two teams continued trading baskets before High Point created separation. A dunk from Garrett and a layup from freshman guard Trey Pearson built an early 12-8 lead for the Panthers.
The Flames began to find their rhythm offensively when Carter scored a layup before freshman guard Eli Herbert drained another bucket, helping Liberty remain within striking distance. High Point responded with baskets from Pearson and Brown to maintain its lead.
Carter’s 3-pointer with 10:12 remaining in the half tied the game at 20-20. High Point answered with a free throw from fifth-year forward Cam’Ron Fletcher before Brown added a layup to put the Panthers back in front.
Later, Sancomb connected on a jumper, and Carter added another basket as Liberty worked to keep pace. Junior guard Cooper Campbell also contributed offensively, converting a free throw before Carter’s layup tied the game at 25-25 with 5:43 remaining in the half.
High Point responded to regain control. Pearson added another layup, giving the Panthers a 31-25 advantage.
“We haven’t had nine new guys since my first year,” Head Coach Ritchie McKay said. “We’re playing guys in combinations that have had maybe one or two percent of our practice reps.”
Carter helped Liberty stay in the contest as the first half came to a close with the Flames trailing 37-34 at halftime.
Continuing to lead the Flames offensively, Carter scored a layup to bring Liberty within eight points. Junior forward Ryan Jones Jr. added a 3-pointer off an assist from Carter, while junior forward Dillon Claussen and junior guard Matthew Shelton contributed buckets to help the Flames remain competitive.
With 11 minutes remaining in the game, Carter exited the game due to injury. He finished with 21 points, posting a career high in points per game and leading Liberty in scoring for the night.
“Zander’s super consistent, and he’ll give the team whatever it needs,” McKay said. “I think he has a confidence that we can all benefit from.”
High Point’s lead grew to double digits in the closing minutes, leaving Liberty with limited time to recover. The Flames continued to compete on both ends of the floor, but the Panthers’ second-half production made it difficult for the Flames to overcome.
Liberty fell 72-57.
“November second is today,” McKay said. “I think we’ll look a little differently in the next 30 to 45 days.”
The Flames look to regroup as the team hosts Boyce College Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m.
Shepard is the NCAA men’s editor for The Liberty Champion.