Owen Aquino Dominates with 16 Points in Liberty's Win
- Owen Aquino scored 16 points, along with 11 rebounds and five blocks.
- Kaden Metheny also scored 16 points and played a vital role in the second half.
- Liberty established control early and maintained a consistent lead throughout the game.
On November 4, 2024, Liberty Flames faced off against the Valparaiso Beacons at the Athletes in Action Tip-Off in Xenia, Ohio. Owen Aquino led Liberty with 16 points, contributing significantly to their commanding 83-63 victory. He also recorded a strong performance with 11 rebounds and five blocks, showcasing his defensive capabilities. The Flames maintained control throughout the game, taking the lead early in the first half and establishing a solid halftime score of 42-32. In addition to Aquino's performance, Kaden Metheny added another 16 points, shooting notably well from the field, including three 3-pointers. Jay Maughmer also contributed with 14 points, ensuring a balanced scoring effort for Liberty. The Beacons struggled to keep pace, with Tyler Schmidt leading their efforts with 17 points, but it was insufficient to overcome Liberty’s aggressive gameplay. Liberty extended their lead with a decisive 9-0 run in the second half, pushing their advantage to 17 points. Metheny’s strong performance in the final half, with nine points alone, helped secure the team's first win of the season. Valparaiso could not recover from this deficit, leading to their loss in this opening game. Overall, the Flames demonstrated a strong team effort against the Beacons, laying a solid foundation for their season ahead, while Valparaiso will need to regroup and improve for their upcoming games.