LYNCHBURG, Virginia – UT Arlington men's basketball hit the road for another non-conference battle, this time at Liberty (11-1) on Saturday, Dec. 21, in Lynchburg, Virginia. The game will be broadcast live on
ESPN+ and on the Varsity App, 102.5 FM and KTNO 620.
The Mavericks have won two straight games, including a dominant 80-54 win over Evansville on Wednesday night to get themselves back to .500 at 6-6. Forward/Center
Lance Ware, who is the reigning WAC Newcomer of the Week, led the way for UTA with 14 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and three assists in the win. Forward
Diante Smith scored a season-high 18 points and has scored 15 or more in each of his last three times.
Liberty, is off to an 11-1 start following a 124-50 home win over St. Andrews on Tuesday night, the eighth consecutive win for the Flames.
The Flames are led by head coach Ritchie McKay, who is in his 10th season during his second tenure in Lynchburg. McKay also served as the program's head coach in 2007-08 and 2008-09 in addition to his time from 2015 until the present. The Seattle Pacific graduate has coached previously at New Mexico (2002-07), Oregon State (2000-02), Colorado State (1998-2000), Portland State (1996-98) and was an associate head coach at Virginia (2009-15).
Liberty is led by guard Kaden Metheny, who is averaging a team-high 13.2 ppg and is shooting 42.7% from distance. Forwards Owen Aquino (10.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg), Isaiah Ihnen (10.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg) and Zach Cleveland (10.4 ppg and 6.4 rpg) are also key fixtures for the Flames.
Saturday's meeting between the two teams will be the first in program history.
-- #BuckEm –
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