#6 Frankquon Sherman and #21 Jaden Harris help #11 RJ Johnson up in KSU’s win over La Tech on Feb. 21 at VyStar Arena. Photo by: Jackson Louneoubonh
Men’s basketball will look to win its third straight on Thursday, continuing its current homestand against Liberty.
Despite a slide to start February, the Owls have won their last two and currently sit at 16-11 overall and 8-8 in conference play despite working with an often shorthanded rotation.
Before it closes out the regular season schedule, KSU is set for a great challenge against the current Conference USA frontrunner.
The Flames are 23-4 overall and 15-1 in conference play, fresh off their first conference loss where they gave up 94 points to a hot Western Kentucky team. Prior to Saturday’s loss, the team won 17 straight, their most recent loss coming to non-conference opponent North Carolina State on Dec. 10.
Guard Brett Decker Jr. has been a standout for Liberty this season, averaging 16.4 points per game, the highest on the team. After putting up 17 against UTEP and 16 against Florida International respectively, Decker Jr. was kept at bay against Western Kentucky, scoring only five points.
Kaden Metheny is another consistent scorer for the Flames, averaging 13.2 points per game and scoring 25 or more points on three occasions this year.
Forward Zach Cleveland has been productive on both sides of the basketball, contributing 11.5 points per game on average but also grabbing 37 steals and 35 blocks.
Liberty offense has been high-scoring throughout the year, averaging 79.1 points per game, good for second in the conference just behind Sam Houston and making 52% of field goal attempts, a full 5% better than any other CUSA program.
The Flames have a solid numbers on defense as well, forcing opponents to commit over 300 turnovers and grabbing 179 steals, almost seven a game.
After breezing through conference play in January, Liberty has had a few narrow contests this month, including a couple of close one-possession victories against Missouri State and New Mexico State and a near loss to FIU at home on Feb. 19, holding on for a 90-89 win in overtime.
The Flames hold the top spot in the conference and barring a complete collapse in the late regular season, should hold that spot when conference tournament time arrives. They will have a tough schedule to close things out however, with all four remaining opponents currently sitting in the top six of the standings.
Tipoff is set for Feb. 26 at 5p.m. on ESPN+.
