Eric Dixon dominates as Villanova topples Butler 73-65
- Kaden Metheny led Liberty Flames with 19 points in a decisive victory.
- Colin Porter added 16 points, while Zach Cleveland contributed 11 for Liberty.
- Liberty improves to a 1-1 conference record after defeating Middle Tennessee.
In Lynchburg, Virginia, on January 5, 2025, Kaden Metheny showcased his skills, scoring 19 points to propel the Liberty Flames to a 73-63 triumph against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. The victory marked an important game in the Conference USA as both teams aimed to improve their conference records. Metheny's performance stood out, especially his shooting efficiency, hitting 8 of 15 attempts from the field, including 3 of 8 from three-point range. Colin Porter also contributed significantly to Liberty's win, accumulating 16 points while providing five assists and three steals. Zach Cleveland added 11 points to the Flames' efforts. The game demonstrated Liberty's ability to work cohesively as a team, showcasing strong defense and strategic plays. In contrast, the Blue Raiders, who were looking to build momentum, were led by Camryn Weston with 16 points, but they could not keep pace with Liberty. Essam Mostafa had a notable performance for Middle Tennessee, recording a double-double with 14 points and an impressive 16 rebounds, but his efforts were not enough to secure a win. The Blue Raiders struggled against a persistent Liberty defense and were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. Justin Bufford also made contributions for Middle Tennessee, scoring 13 points along with two blocks. Following this matchup, both teams prepared for their upcoming games on Thursday. Liberty is set to visit Sam Houston, while Middle Tennessee will host Kennesaw State at home. This game not only highlighted the skills of individual players but also the importance of teamwork in fostering successful outcomes in collegiate basketball.