The lady Flames (8-6, 2-1 CUSA) had previously won 13 consecutive games against CUSA opponents. They now stand at 39-4 all-time in conference contests at Liberty Arena. Ify nwaobi grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds, but Liberty lost the rebounding battle 40-38 and shot just 33.3 percent (19-of-57) from the field.
Sam Houston (9-4, 2-0 CUSA) secured its first-ever win over the Lady Flames in their sixth meeting, spoiling Liberty’s CUSA home opener. Four Bearkats starters scored in double figures, led by Deborah Ogayemi with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Box Score Highlights
Liberty Individuals: Elisabeth Aegisdottir – 11 points, 3 assists; Emmy Stout – 11 points, 9 rebounds (8 offensive); Avery Mills – 10 points, 5-5 FT; Nwaobi – 8 points, 16 rebounds.
Sam Houston Individuals: Ogayemi – 17 points, 11 rebounds (8 offensive); Nyla Inmon – 15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals; Fanta Kone – 12 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals; Whitney Dunn – 10 points.
Key Team Stats: Liberty struggled from the floor, shooting below its season average from three-point range (31.3 percent, 5-of-16) and the free-throw line (58.8 percent, 10-of-17). Sam Houston shot 37.5 percent (21-of-56) from the field, 15.4 percent (2-of-13) from beyond the arc, and 71.4 percent (15-of-21) at the free-throw line. The Bearkats became the second consecutive opponent to outrebound Liberty (40-38), aided by 16 offensive boards. The Lady Flames collected 17 offensive rebounds and scored 20 second-chance points. Sam houston recorded 13 steals and converted Liberty’s 20 turnovers into 16 points.
Turning Point
Liberty, leading last at 8-6 in the first quarter, closed the gap to within three points on three occasions in the fourth period.
Stout’s layup with 2:14 remaining brought the score to 49-46. Though, Liberty failed to score on its next two possessions.
Dunn then grabbed her own missed shot and completed a three-point play,extending Sam Houston’s lead to 52-46 with 44.1 seconds left.
Sam Houston sealed the victory by making seven of eight free throws.
Notes and Nuggets
- Nwaobi’s 16 rebounds (11 in the second half) were a career high and the most by a Lady Flame as Dec. 11,2024 (Emmy Stout – 16 vs.Randolph). It was just two shy of the Liberty arena single-game record.
- Aegisdottir’s 11 points set a new season high, and she matched her career high of two made three-pointers.
- Stout (11 points) and Mills (10 points) both scored in double figures for the 12th time in 14 games this season.
- Mills went 5-of-5 from the free-throw line and has now made 11 consecutive free throws, starting with her game-winning shot at George Mason on Dec. 7.
- The Lady flames are now 68-12 all-time at Liberty Arena but are just 3-3 this season, having suffered consecutive home losses.
- Liberty dropped its 2025-26 CUSA home opener after going 9-0 against conference opponents at Liberty Arena last year. Their 39-4 conference record at the facility includes a 15-3 mark against CUSA teams and a 24-1 record versus ASUN opponents.
- Prior to Thursday, liberty’s last loss to a CUSA opponent came at Louisiana Tech on Feb. 8, 2025.
- Liberty is 0-4 this season when scoring 59 points or fewer and 8-2 when reaching the 60-point mark.
up Next
Liberty will host CUSA preseason favorite Louisiana tech (8-5, 1-1 CUSA) on Sunday in a nationally televised contest on ESPNU. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.inside Liberty Arena.
