Kaden Metheny Leads the Way for Liberty Against Sam Houston (2-8-25)
By: Xavier Jones
Headline Photo Credit: Arturo Jones-LMS Network
In a closely contested matchup on Saturday, February 8, 2025, the Liberty Flames edged out the Sam Houston Bearkats with a final score of 64-61 at Liberty Arena in Lynchburg, VA. This win for Liberty improved their record to 19-5 overall and 7-4 in Conference USA play. Also, this victory surpassed their win total from last season. The Liberty Flames remain in a tie for second place in the conference standings. Meanwhile, the Sam Houston Bearkats fall to 8-16 overall and 1-10 in conference action. This loss also extended the Bearkats’ losing streak to seven games.
Liberty’s Kaden Metheny was the standout player in this game as he led the Flames in scoring with 26 points, which was a season-high for him. Metheny was 9/17 from the field, 4 made three-pointers, and was perfect from the charity stripe. In addition to his season-high in scoring, Kaden would also grab seven rebounds. Metheny’s backcourt mate, Colin Porter, chipped in with 10 points, three rebounds, and three assists. The Sam Houston Bearkats gave a valiant effort as they took the Flames all the way down to the wire of this game. Sam Houston’s Marcus Boykin led the way with 23 points, four rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Cameron Huefner scored 15 points, and Lamar Wilkerson added 11 points and six rebounds.
After coming out of halftime with a 33-29 lead over Sam Houston, the Flames were in for a dogfight in the second half. Throughout the second half, the game remained tight and produced the nineties and several lead changes. As the game was tied at 60, with just over a minute remaining, a key steal by Metheny led to a fast-break bucket for the Flames to give them a 62-60 lead. Liberty was able to maintain the lead with multiple defensive stops in the final moments of the game. Plus, a pair of late free throws helped seal the deal for the Liberty Flames. When you look at the stats for each team, turnovers in crucial moments and missed free throws are what doomed the Bearkats. They missed a total of five free throws and ended up losing the game by three points. Although Sam Houston has lost seven straight games, they fought hard until the final buzzard.
The next game for the Liberty Flames is February 13, and it is on the road against New Mexico State. The Sam Houston Bearkats’ next game is on the same day, but they’re playing at home against Jacksonville State.
