Liberty Women’s Basketball Efforts Against Duke Sparks Season Hopes

Liberty Arena erupted as the final buzzer sounds, but not because the home team won.  

The Duke University Lady Blue Devils defeated Liberty University’s Women’s Basketball team 83-67 Nov. 7, 2024, yet Flames Nation still gave a standing ovation.  

But why? Well, this early-season loss in November set the foundation for a remarkable season for the Lady Flames basketball team.  

“Liberty’s a really good team,” Duke Head Coach Kara Lawson said. “They are going to contend for their conference championship. They’re going to have a great chance to be an NCAA tournament team.” 

Lawson’s prediction proved accurate. The Lady Flames finished their regular season 26-6 and 16-2 in Conference USA (CUSA). After becoming CUSA Champions they secured an automatic bid into the first round of the Division I NCAA Championship Tournament where they faced the University of Kentucky March 21.  

Liberty Head Coach Carey Green scheduled the game against Duke knowing it would challenge his team. Facing a top-tier opponent early in their schedule allowed the Lady Flames to see what it would take to be successful as the season progressed.  

Surprising Duke in the game, the Lady Flames only trailed the Lady Blue Devils by two points going into the half after a stellar second quarter performance. Allowing just 10 points to one of the top offenses in the nation is no easy task.  

Despite a strong showing, Liberty was unable to hold off the attack of Duke in the second half, leading to the setback. However, the response to the loss was immediate, as they went on to blow out California Baptist University the following night, showing their true colors as a team.  

“Our team chemistry is just amazing. Honestly, every single girl on this team, we’re all so close,” freshman guard Avery Mills said after their win against Florida International University. “We all love each other so much, and you can see that on the court.”  

The Lady Flames built their success on a foundation of faith, accountability and teamwork. Green instilled a culture that emphasized growth beyond just basketball skills. Their relationships off the court have played a vital role in their success overall.  

“Our motto this year is ‘One Body,’” sophomore guard Asia Boone said after the Duke game.  

That philosophy has translated onto the court. Since Duke, they have learned to close out games, evident in key victories over Western Kentucky University, University of Arkansas and North Carolina A&T.  

Defensively, the Lady Flames adapted to be a grittier, tougher team to score on while offensively completing their baskets at a much higher rate. With a firepower up and down their lineup, the Lady Flames saw major contributions from Boone and redshirt senior center Bella Smuda, who each averaged over 10 points per game.  

Furthermore, the Lady Flames found a balance between their experienced veterans and skilled newcomers. Each player not only fulfilled her role but embraced it.  

From the coach’s perspective, Green kept his players focused on the bigger picture. Despite their current success, he stressed the importance of continuing to improve, avoiding complacency and preparing for the toughest opponents they faced at the end of the season.  

However, Green attributed the team’s success not only to the players but also to the team’s supportive fan base.  

“We’ve been getting excellent … fan appreciation and support all year long,” Green said. “It’s really been something special, and our girls feed off that.”  

The Lady Flames continued to show resilience, bouncing back from adversity with confidence and determination anytime they seemed down. Their ability to maintain composure and execute in crucial moments, even when they struggled, set them apart from the pack.  

Another strength of this strong Liberty team has been its depth. Green utilized the bench, allowing key players to stay fresh late in games. Rotational players stepped up in crucial moments, allowing the Lady Flames to sustain their fierce style of play for all four quarters.  

This depth proved to be invaluable, giving the Lady Flames an upper hand in postseason play as it aided in taking the CUSA title. 

“They’re going at each other every day in practice,” Green said. “Getting these players a little more confidence … I’m really excited for the future.”  

As with the Duke game, the Lady Flames learned through their few losses. Dropping games to a top-ranked University of Tennessee, Grand Canyon University and Middle Tennessee State University proved to be crucial learning moments that they have been able to bounce back from. The Lady Flames bounced back in a rematch against MTSU in the CUSA Championship where they took the title 53-48. 

Liberty remained determined to prove they belong among the nation’s best as they fought their way into the NCAA tournament.  

Their relentless work ethic, strong leadership and “One Body” mindset brought them to this point.  

The Lady Flames finished what they started, not just as a powerhouse in CUSA but in the entire nation. Liberty continued to prove that early-season losses do not define a team — but how they respond does.  

What followed their November setback has been nothing short of remarkable. With a conference title and a NCAA tournament berth, the Lady Flames finished strong. 

The team’s time in “The Big Dance” ended in a hard-fought game against the Lady Wildcats Friday, March 21 in Lexington, Kentucky.  

In a post-game press conference Green said, “I don’t think I can be even more proud of these champions, and Conference USA champions and the heart that they really showed throughout this game.”  

For more details on the Lady Flames NCAA Tournament game read the story recap here. 

Bessire and Kwiatkowski are sports reporters for the Liberty Champion.