Liberty Women’s Basketball Power Past Stetson, Hold The Most Wins In All D1 Basketball

The Lady Flames basketball team took on ASUN rival Stetson, defeating the Hatters handily by a score of 65-53 Feb. 19. Senior forward Bridgette Rettstatt and junior guard Kennedi Williams led Liberty to the victory.

In the first quarter, neither team could gain a real edge. That is until Williams took control of the Liberty offense, passing it beautifully to Lady Flames’ center Mya Berkman underneath. 

Williams then sent a perfect pass underneath to Rettstatt to give the Lady Flames their first lead. The Lady Flames would hang onto that lead for the reminder of the game.

Rettstatt shot out of the blocks like a bullet, scoring an astounding 10 of the Lady Flames’ 14 total first quarter points. She also outscored Stetson in the first as the Lady Flames held them to nine points. 

Rettstatt left this matchup with Stetson after having a career night. She shot 11-15 from the field and 1-2 from the line, tying her season-high of 24 points. This was her second 20-point game of the 2021-22 season and the sixth of her career. In the theme of career numbers, Rettstatt also tied her career-high made field goals with 11 and her season-high steals with three. 

Williams ran the point to perfection, totaling six assists, and many of her passes resulted in Stetson having to foul, giving the Lady Flames free throws. She was joined by senior guard Alyssa Iverson, who added three assists in 18 minutes played. 

“(They are) two quicker guards with a point guard mentality,” Head Coach Carey Green said. “It’s good to have some high IQ ball handlers out on the floor.”

After an impressive first quarter, the Lady Flames held the Hatters at bay, not allowing their lead to drop lower than six points for the rest of the game. Every time the Hatters looked to form a run, the Lady Flames’ stifling defense and rebounding held them back. 

This Liberty unit prides itself on its rebounding. The Lady Flames currently hold the third-place spot in the nation with a rebound margin of +13.1. 

The Lady Flames have 25 wins, the most out of any team in the country so far this season. 

The Lady Flames look to add two more wins as the regular season comes to an end. Liberty currently holds the No. 1 seed in the ASUN standings over FGCU, whom they play Feb. 24 at home. The Lady Flames expect a scrappy and feisty matchup with the Eagles. 

The team lost to the Eagles earlier this season in Florida Gulf Coast’s home arena. Liberty has only lost twice this season and has won all 10 games since that loss in January. 

palsgrove is a sports reporter. Follow him on Twitter