Liberty Scorches Nets in 75-48 Win Over Limestone

Playing its first home game in four weeks, Liberty set season highs for field goal percentage (55.8), three-point field goal percentage (50.0) and free throw percentage (87.5) during a 75-48 triumph over Limestone, Thursday at Liberty Arena.

Liberty improves to 4-5 on the season after dominating the boards (45-15 advantage) and holding Limestone to 27 points beneath its season scoring average. The Lady Flames are now 2-0 all-time against the Saints.

Limestone, which classified the contest as an exhibition, will retain its mark of 6-5 overall and 1-1 in the SAC. The Saints could not overcome a slow start (25-4 deficit after one period) and shot just 34 percent (18-of-53) on the night.

Box Score Highlights

Liberty Individuals: Bella Smuda – 13 points, 2 blocks, 6-8 FG; Jordan Bailey – 12 points, 4 rebounds; Pien Steenbergen – 11 points, 8 rebounds, 3-4 3FG; Mya Berkman – 8 points, 6 rebounds; Jordan Hodges – 8 points, 3 rebounds.

Limestone Individuals: Reagan Kargo – 9 points, 3 steals; Reagan McCray – 8 points, 3 assists; Megan Watson – 6 points, 2 steals.

Key Team Stats: Liberty’s final shooting numbers were 55.8 percent (29-of-52) from the field, 50 percent (10-of-20) from three-point range and 87.5 percent (7-of-8) from the foul line. The Lady Flames utilized their significant height advantage to dominate the rebounding (45-15), points in the paint (34-12) and second-chance points (15-3). Eleven different Lady Flames scored points as Liberty posted a season-high 42 bench points. Liberty distributed 21 assists on 29 made field goals but also turned the ball over a season-high 24 times.

Turning Point

Liberty dominated both ends of the court during the opening 10 minutes, outscoring the visitors 24-5 and outrebounding them by a 19-2 margin. The Lady Flames’ lead remained at 19 points or larger the rest of the way.

 Game Summary

First Quarter

• The Lady Flames made their first five field goals to start the game, racing out to a quick 11-0 advantage.
• Liberty led 25-4 after a first quarter where the Lady Flames shot 64.7 percent (11-of-17) compared with just 11.8 percent (2-of-17) for Limestone. After being outrebounded by 16 boards during a Sunday loss at No. 1 South Carolina, Liberty pulled down 19 rebounds to the Saints’ two in the first quarter.

Second Quarter

• After its hot offensive start to the game, Liberty made only four field goals during the second period. But all four were triples, including one by Jordan Bailey at the halftime buzzer which extended the home team’s advantage to 37-15.

Third Quarter

• Liberty outscored Limestone by a 24-17 count during a third period which saw both teams shoot the ball well.
• The Lady Flames shot 64.3 percent (9-of-14) to build a 61-32 lead, while the Saints checked in at 50 percent (7-of-14) for the stanza.

Fourth Quarter

• Limestone owned a slight 16-14 edge during the final period, getting six points apiece from Megan Watson and Charlotte Terry and forcing 10 Liberty turnovers.

Notes and Nuggets

• Smuda scored 11 of her season-high 13 points after halftime.
• Steenbergen set career highs for points (11), three-pointers made (3) and rebounds (game-high 8).
• Bailey (12 points) has scored in double figures in back-to-back games for the first time this season.
• Alise Markova led all players with four assists, doubling her previous career high.
• Thursday marked the 100^th career game for Kennedi Williams, who started at point guard and contributed four points, two rebounds, an assist and a steal in 12 minutes.
• Liberty’s +30 rebound margin was its largest since the Lady Flames outrebounded Longwood by 30 (48-18) on Feb. 21, 2017.
• The Lady Flames’ 10 three-pointers tied a season high. They also knocked down 10 triples during their last home game, a Nov. 17 victory over Hampton.
• Liberty improves to 2-0 this season and 138-3 under Carey Green when shooting 50 percent or better from the field.
• Liberty is 2-1 during the month of December this season and has won 19 of its last 21 December outings overall.

Up Next

The Lady Flames will close out non-conference play by heading to Seattle for a pair of contests at the Husky Classic. Liberty will open the tournament with a Sunday matchup against host Washington (8-1, 1-0 Pac-12). Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m. Eastern at Alaska Airlines Arena.

Featured in Main Photo: #21 Pien Steenbergen

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