Liberty University
15-8, 12-2BSC
Campbell
8-14, 3-10BSC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campbell | 15 | 8 | 16 | 16 | 55 |
| Liberty | 14 | 18 | 14 | 21 | 67 |
Adams, Kearney Lead Liberty Past Campbell
2/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Reigning Big South Player of the Week Katelyn Adams' third straight double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds) and Catherine Kearney's clutch baskets (8 of her 14 points came in the fourth quarter) were key to Liberty's 67-55 victory over Campbell, Tuesday evening at the Vines Center.
The Lady Flames followed a script similar to Sunday's 67-53 triumph over Radford in earning their eighth straight win and completing a season sweep of the Lady Camels. Liberty dominated the rebounding category (45-22), held Campbell's offense in check (37.7 percent from the field, 23-of-61) and shot the ball efficiently.
The Lady Flames made 51.1 percent (24-of-47) of their field goal attempts for the game, including 65 percent (13-of-20) after halftime, improving to 15-8 overall and 12-2 in the Big South. Mickayla Sanders chipped in 10 points for Liberty, which remains tied with UNC Asheville atop the Big South standings after its 21st straight home win over a conference opponent.
Campbell falls to 8-14 overall and 3-10 in the Big South despite an outstanding individual effort by RaeChaun Edwards. The redshirt senior point guard finished with 12 points, 10 assists, six steals and five rebounds in a losing effort.
Campbell made three of its first four field goal attempts to start the game, opening up a quick 7-2 lead. Shortly thereafter, Liberty went on top 11-9 when Ashley Rininger's two free throws capped off a 7-0 run. The lead changed hands three more times before Campbell took a 15-14 edge at the end of 10 minutes.
The second quarter included three additional lead changes before the Lady Flames closed the opening half with a 7-0 burst over the final 1:05. Sadalia Ellis scored the last five points, including a buzzer-beating jumper, giving Liberty a 32-23 halftime advantage. The nine-point cushion marked the largest lead by either team during the first 20 minutes.
The Lady Flames outrebounded the Lady Camels, 27-12, during the first half. However, Liberty also committed 12 turnovers, leading to 10 Campbell points.
Sanders scored Liberty's first five points to start the third quarter, helping extend the Lady Flames' advantage to 38-25 with 5:18 remaining in the period. Tiffany Daniel came off the Campbell bench to score seven points in the final 2:46, helping the Lady Camels trim their deficit to 46-39 through three quarters.
Edwards' steal and layup made it a five-point game (46-41), 37 seconds into the fourth quarter. Kearney then stepped up, scoring eight of Liberty's next 11 points to help the Lady Flames regain control. Kearney's putback with 4:15 left put Liberty on top, 57-46. Campbell got no closer than nine the rest of the way and still has not won inside the Vines Center since Nov. 29, 1999.
Foul shooting was another key to Liberty's 12th victory in its last 13 outings. The Lady Flames made 15-of-22 free throws for 68.2 percent, while Campbell was just 6-of-14 for 42.9 percent.
Liberty outrebounded its 10th consecutive opponent and recorded a 36-26 edge in points in the paint.
Campbell stayed close by turning the Lady Flames' 22 turnovers into 19 points.
Kearney shot 6-of-7 from the field while leading all players with her 14 points. The New Jersey native added nine rebounds, moving into a tie with Theresa Bream for 20th place in program history with 536 career boards.
Adams' double-double gives her five for the season and 14 for her career.
The production of Kearney and Adams was crucial with Rininger limited to four points and two rebounds before fouling out during the third quarter.
Sanders hit a pair of three-pointers and is now tied with Megan Frazee for 11th place on Liberty's all-time list with 98 career triples.
Freshmen Brooke Alexander (team-high five assists) and KK Barbour (six points, five rebounds) also contributed to the Lady Flames' triumph.
MaKala Rouse made it two Campbell players in double figures, finishing with 10 points and two of the visitors' three triples on the night.
Liberty will travel to UNC Asheville (19-4, 12-2 Big South) for a battle between the Big South's two co-leaders, Saturday at 2 p.m. inside Kimmel Arena. The Lady Flames posted a 71-53 victory during their first matchup with the Bulldogs this season, Jan. 4 at the Vines Center.
Saturday's game will also enable Liberty to preview the venue for the 2016 Big South Women's Basketball Championship, which is slated for March 10-13 at Kimmel Arena.
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