Dec 7, 2002

Box Score

LYNCHBURG, Va. - In a game that featured eight ties and 16 lead changes, Liberty used a late 6-0 run to pull out a 66-63 victory over Western Carolina Saturday night at the Vines Center.

Liberty (3-2) gained control of the game in the opening few minutes as the Flames jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the first five minutes of the game. However, that would prove to to be the largest lead either team would enjoy the remainder of the contest.

Kevin Martin (So., G, Zanesville, Ohio) connected on two 3-point field goals over the next three minutes, while David Berghoefer (Fr., C, Middleton, Wis.) pulled down a rebound and put the ball back in the basket to give the game its first tie at 17-17 with 11:08. The back and forth battle continued over the remainder of the half with Philip Ward (Jr., F, Houston, Texas) tying the game with 1:16 left before the intermission on a pair of free throws with what would prove to be the halftime score at 33-33.

The lead continued to change hands in the second half until the Flames took control of the contest with a 6-0 run over a two-minute span, capped by a pair of Vincent Okotie (Sr., F, El Cajon, Calif.) free throws with 56 seconds remainder to put the game away for Liberty.

Western Carolina (2-3) attempted to mount one last comeback as Terrence Woodyard (So., F, Jonesboro, Ga.) connected on a 3-pointer with 32 seconds left; however, Gabe Martin (Jr., G, Junction City, Kansas) converted on 2-of-4 attempts from the free throw line to seal the Flames' victory.

Okotie posted his fifth-consecutive double-figure performance of the season as he led the Flames with 19 points on 7-of-16 shooting from the field and a perfect 5-for-5 outing at the free throw line, while adding a team-best seven rebounds. Jason Sarchet (Jr., C, Newell, Iowa) managed to reach double digits despite battling foul trouble most the evening as he netted 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the floor.

Martin led all scorers with 24 points. Woodyard also reached double figures with 18 points, which tied a career high. The sophomore drained 7-of-12 shots from the field, including 2-of-6 from 3-point range. Rans Brempong (Jr., F/C, Thornhill, Ontario) finished with a game-high 11 rebounds.

Western Carolina will return to action on Tuesday (Dec. 10) versus North Greenville. Tip-off is set for 7 pm at the Ramsey Activity Center.