Basketball teams get their first chance to play in front of full Liberty Arena crowds to open seasons

This week, Liberty University’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams tipped off their 2021-22 campaigns in the Liberty Arena, which was open to full capacity for the first time since its opening in Fall 2020.

After Tuesday night’s 89-40 blowout win over Belmont Abbey, Lady Flames Head Coach Carey Green said that the crowd was a key contribution to their dominant victory.

“It was so much fun to look up in the stands and (see) probably the most fans we’ve had in two years,” he said. “It was exciting to have those fans there and it certainly energized our team. We played with a lot of energy.”

Following his team’s decisive 85-24 victory over Regent University on Thursday evening in the first-ever sold-out crowd at Liberty Arena, Flames Head Coach Ritchie McKay expressed his appreciation.

“(Thanks to) the players who have come before us and the coaches and managers who have bled and sweated to give us a home court advantage like the one we had tonight,” McKay said. “That was special. It was really neat to be in the arena, and I’m very thankful that our administration has been so supportive, and I can tell you that everyone in that locker room’s really excited about all the people that showed up. Flames Nation was great.”

In 2020-21, The Flames and Lady Flames enjoyed a successful inaugural season at Liberty Arena, going a combined 25-0 at their new home court and 42-14 overall. But this year, Flames fans are excited to be able to cheer their teams on in person after last season’s limited seating due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It feels good,” Flames fan and junior Interdisciplinary Studies student Duke Snyder said regarding being back in the stands in a new building. “I missed the feeling of having a ton of fans grouped together, cheering on their team.”

With a home schedule headlined by a visit from SEC member Missouri’s men’s basketball team on Dec. 2 and a matchup with ACC member Virginia Tech’s women’s basketball squad on Dec. 7, Flames fans will not have to wait long for high-profile matchups.

Liberty Men’s Basketball has been on a historic run the past three seasons, winning three straight ASUN regular-season titles and three straight ASUN Tournament championships. The Flames are the only team in the country to achieve that feat during each of the last three seasons. Liberty Men’s Basketball has proven to be one of the top programs in the country over recent years, winning 82 games in the last three seasons, which ranks third in the country only behind Gonzaga (95 wins) and Houston (84 wins).

Liberty returns three starters from last year’s squad, including reigning ASUN Player of the Year Darius McGhee. The junior is coming off a sensational season where he ranked No. 4 in the nation in three-pointers made. McGhee was the third Liberty player in the last two seasons to be named to the Lou Henson All-America Team, joining Caleb Homesley and Scottie James after averaging 15.6­ points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game this past season. Lethal at all three levels, McGhee shot 45.8 percent from the field, 41.3 percent from three-point range and 84.8 percent from the free throw line. Liberty also returns Kyle Rode, who is entering his junior year and is coming off an exceptional season where he started all 29 games, averaging 7.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists and was named to the ASUN All-Tournament Team.

McKay is coming off back-to-back ASUN Coach of the Year honors, leading a squad that currently owns a 36-game winning streak at home — the second-longest active winning streak in the country. The Flames ranked No. 3 in scoring defense last season, allowing just 60 points a game with six wins over Power 5 opponents in the last five seasons.

Like the Liberty Men’s Basketball team, the Lady Flames have advanced to the ASUN Tournament title game during each of their three seasons as conference members. This season, Liberty will be looking to cut down the nets and return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018.

Green is quite familiar with the NCAA Tournament, taking the Lady Flames into March Madness 14 times during his first 22 seasons as head coach. Green should make history early on in the 2021-22 campaign, as he enters the season just five wins shy of 500 for his career.

Green’s teams have long been known for strong post play, and this year’s squad should be no exception. The Lady Flames will be anchored by the trio of 6’5” Bella Smuda, 6’3” Mya Berkman, and 6’2” Bridgette Rettstatt.

Smuda was a member of the 2021 ASUN All-Freshman Team while Berkman was the team’s leading rebounder (6.1 rpg) and set a program record by making 68.9 percent of her field goals last season. Rettstatt, a second team All-ASUN performer in 2019, enters her final season needing only 125 points to reach 1,000 for her career.

Kennedi Williams takes over the reins as starting point guard this season. Playing in a reserve role a season ago, she paced the Lady Flames and ranked No. 4 in the ASUN with 3.5 apg.

The Lady Flames bring a 17-game home winning streak into the 2021-22 campaign. The team has 15 more home games on this year’s slate, wrapping up with a showdown against defending ASUN champion FGCU on Feb. 24. Other featured home games include matchups with Commonwealth rival James Madison (Nov. 18) and defending Big South champion High Point (Dec. 4).

TICKETS

Single games and season tickets are available at Liberty.edu/Tickets or by calling (434) 582-SEAT (7328).

FLAMES CLUB

Fans can support Liberty men’s and women’s basketball and enjoy special game day privileges by joining the Flames Club. The Flames Club exists to underwrite Liberty Athletics’ three-fold mission to Train Champions for Christ, provide a world-class student-athlete experience and achieve victory with integrity. Membership starts at just $60 and members can enjoy preferred parking, seating and pregame hospitality benefits, based upon membership level. Call 434-582-CLUB (2582), email FlamesClub@liberty.edu, or visit Liberty.edu/Flames/Flames-Club/.