Liberty Falls in Season Opener to Bethune-Cookman

Photo Credit: Jamie Hall

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.- Liberty lost in overtime to Bethune-Cookman,
81-76 on Friday. The game was a nail-biter as both teams fought throughout four quarters.

The Lady Flames were led by redshirt sophomore Emily Lytle, who finished with 24 points in the game. She also sent the game into overtime after making three free throws at the end of regulation.

Liberty held a 13-5 lead in the first quarter until Bethune-Cookman came back to lead 16-15.

In the third quarter, the Lady Flames trailed by three points but made an effort by holding the Lady Wildcats to two field goals.

In overtime, Liberty held a slim one-point lead with less than four minutes to play. The Lady Flames were held to just one field goal in the closing minutes. The Lady Flames had a total of 28 turnovers in the game. Liberty ended up falling to the Lady Wildcats and is now 0-1 to start the season.

Meanwhile, Bethune-Cookman improves to 2-0 to start the season. The Lady Wildcats were led by MEAC Preseason Player of the Year Angel Golden. She finished the game with a total of 20 points. In the second quarter, Bethune Cookman went 10-of-15 from the free throw line. With less than nine minutes to go in the second half, the Lady Wildcats made a 10-0 run and scored four points to lead Liberty 37-29.

Liberty returns home to host its home opener against Virginia Tech on Tuesday. The game is set to tip off at 6 p.m.

Game Stat Leaders

Liberty

Points: Emily Lytle (24)

Rebounds: Bridgette Rettstatt (15)

Assists: Emily Lytle (7)

Steals: Emily Lytle (1), Tatyana Crowder (1), Ashtyn Baker (1), Ria Gulley (1), KK Barbour (1)

Blocks: Mya McMillian (1), Ria Gulley (1), KK Barbour (1),

Bethune-Cookman

Points: Angel Golden (20)

Rebounds: Chasimmie Brown(8)

Assists: Kiana Williams (7)

Steals: Armani Walker (3), Ashanti Hunt (3)

Blocks: Chasimmie Brown (3)

Player Achievements

Liberty

·        Emily Lytle’s 24 points are a new career high. She also scored 10 or more free throws throughout the game (12-15).

·        Ria Gulley also set a career high as she scored 11 points in her debut with Liberty.

·        KK Barbour notched her sixth double-double in her collegiate career. She also had a career high in rebounds (13). Barbour scored 12 points in the game to move up to 50^th place on Liberty’s all-time scoring list (583 pts).

·        Bridgette Rettstatt recorded a new career high in rebounds (15).

      Bethune Cookman

  Angel Golden had 20 points in the game, the 13^th time she has done that in her collegiate career.