Liberty Comes Up Short in 65-64 Loss to FGCU

Photo Credit: Andrew Snyder

LYNCHBURG, Va.- Liberty had a valiant effort against FGCU on Saturday but could not secure the win. The Eagles held
on for the 65-64 victory to remain undefeated in ASUN play.

The Lady Flames started out strong in the first quarter leading the Eagles 10-6 at the 7:01 mark. Kierra Johnson-Graham led Liberty with six points. The Lady Flames took a 17-12 lead at the end of the quarter.

Kerstie Phills drained a 3-pointer out of a time in the second quarter to bring FGCU back to a 22-1 lead. Ria Gulley, who returned after missing out the game against Stetson due to an illness, scored a 3-pointer with 1:35 left to tie the game at 26-26. FGCU’s Chandler Ryan scored a 3-pointer in the final minute and the Eagles lead at halftime 29-26.

Liberty struggled at the beginning of the third quarter. The Lady Flames 12 turnovers lead to 12 points scored by FGCU. Liberty responded with four points in the final 49 seconds to cut the score to 56-47.

The Lady Flames made an enormous effort in the fourth quarter with a 10-2 run in the first in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter to cut the lead to one, 58-57. Bridgette Rettstatt scored three out of seven shots. Liberty cut the lead to one three times before Rettstatt scored a jumper to bring them back in the lead with 43 seconds left, 64-63. Phills scored a layup on the other end to get FGCU back in the lead, 65-64. Liberty a timeout in the final 30 seconds to draw up a play. Gulley attempted a layup with two seconds left but missed. Rettstatt got the rebound and held onto the ball in a tie up to give Liberty a chance to score a final shot to win the game. However, the chance turned into a steal by Lisa Zderadicka and FGCU came out with a win.

Liberty drops to 5-5 in the ASUN and 9-14 overall on the season. The Lady Flames were led by Emily Lytle who scored 20 points. Johnson-Graham had 10 points and KK Barbour at 10 points.

FGCU improves to 10-0 in the ASUN and 19-4 overall on the season. The Eagles were led by Destiny Washington who scored 16 points. Zderadicka finished one point behind Washington with 15 points. Nasrin Ulel had 11 points and Kerstie Phills had 10 points. Four FGCU players were in foul trouble throughout the game. Washington, Ulel, Tytionia Adderly and Keri Jewett-Giles all had four fouls.

Game Stat Leaders

Liberty

Points: Emily Lytle (20)

Rebounds: Kierra Johnson-Graham (8)

Assists: Ashtyn Baker (3)

Steals: Kierra Johnson-Graham (1), Emily Lytle (1)

Blocks: Mya McMillian (1)

FGCU

Points: Destiny Washington (16)

Rebounds: Destiny Washington (7)

Assists: Lisa Zderadicka (4)

Steals: Lisa Zderadicka (8)

Blocks: Tytionia Adderly (1), Destiny Washington (1)

Player Achievements

Liberty

•         Lytle scored 20 points for the fifth time this season.
•         Johnson-Graham finished in double figures for the fourth straight game.
•         Barbour is now tied at No. 20 in career 3-pointers in the program.

FGCU

•         Zderadicka recorded her 1,000^th career point and game-high eight steals.