Lady Flames Claim Victory Over Jacksonville State
Avery Mills shined in Liberty’s 60-55 win over Jacksonville State, scoring a career-high 27 points and sinking seven three-pointers. Her outstanding performance helped secure the victory, with JaKayla Thompson adding a crucial driving layup in the final moments.
With this win, Liberty improved to 11-10 overall and balanced their conference record to 5-5. This win marks only the second time a visiting team has triumphed in their series against the Gamecocks. Alongside Mills, Thompson contributed 11 points and five assists, while Ify Nwaobi was a standout on defense, achieving 15 rebounds and three blocks.
The Gamecocks, who had a solid 7-2 home record going into the game, now sit at 11-11 overall and 5-5 in conference play. Despite netting 11 three-pointers, they struggled in the paint, with Liberty outscoring them 28-14 in that area.
Key Statistics:
- Liberty shot 49% (24-of-49) overall and 56.3% (9-of-16) from beyond the arc.
- Jacksonville State held a shooting percentage of 35.7% (20-of-56) overall.
- Liberty dominated the rebounding game, collecting 34 boards to Jax State’s 29.
Critical Moments:
A turning point came when Thompson made a three-point play, pushing Liberty’s lead to nine points with just over four minutes left. Although Jax State closed the gap to three points, a critical block by Nwaobi and a last-second layup from Thompson sealed the Flames’ victory.
Highlights and Records:
- Mills’s performance marked the highest score by a Lady Flame since November 2024.
- Her 27 points and seven three-pointers contributed to her ascent on Liberty’s career three-pointers list, where she now ranks 11th.
- This victory continues Liberty’s trend of strong February performances, improving their record in February games to 23-2 over the last 50 matchups.
Looking Ahead:
Liberty is set to face Kennesaw State next, aiming to keep their momentum. As the Lady Flames strive for excellence, this season demonstrates their growth and potential in competitive basketball.
For ongoing updates about the Lady Flames and their journey in the CUSA, visit Liberty Flames.
