LYNCHBURG, Va. (Interstat) — Western Kentucky handed first-place Liberty a decisive 94-73 defeat in a Conference USA men’s basketball game Saturday at Vines Center. The Hilltoppers led wire-to-wire before an announced crowd of 3,922, building a 48-37 halftime advantage and maintaining control throughout the second half. Grant Newell scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Western Kentucky, which improved to 16-11. Teagan Moore also scored 21 points for the Hilltoppers. Colin Porter scored 20 points for the Flames, who fell to 23-4. Liberty entered the game as a heavy favorite but was outscored 21-6 off turnovers and allowed 14 fastbreak points while recording none. The loss was just the fourth this season for Liberty, which had defeated Western Kentucky 76-69 on Jan. 21.

LYNCHBURG, Va. (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of fortune, Western Kentucky delivered a commanding 94-73 victory over Liberty on Saturday afternoon at Vines Center, avenging a loss from just a month prior and severely disrupting the Conference USA title race. The Hilltoppers, who lost 76-69 at home to the Flames on Jan. 21, flipped the script with a blistering offensive performance and relentless defensive pressure. Western Kentucky improved to 16-11 overall, while Liberty, which entered the game with a 23-3 record and leading the conference, fell to 23-4. The most important part of the game was Western Kentucky’s immediate and sustained assertion of control from the opening tip. The Hilltoppers never trailed, building a double-digit lead in the first half and answering every modest Liberty run with a decisive counterpunch. Their efficiency was staggering, scoring 94 points on just 68 possessions for an offensive rating of 138.4, while their defense forced 11 turnovers and converted them into 21 points. Liberty, by contrast, managed only six points off turnovers and failed to score a single fastbreak point. Grant Newell, a 6-foot-9 forward from Chicago, led the charge for Western Kentucky with 21 points and eight rebounds, showcasing a dominant inside presence. He was complemented by a balanced attack as Teagan Moore scored 21 points, LJ Hackman added 17 and Terrion Murdix chipped in 10 points with five assists. The Hilltoppers shot 52.5% from the field and a near-perfect 22 of 23 from the free-throw line. Liberty, which had been projected as a heavy favorite with a 93.2% win probability according to National Statistical’s ELO system, struggled to find consistent offense outside of Colin Porter and JJ Harper. Porter led the Flames with 20 points, while Harper scored 16. The team shot well from the floor at 55.6% but were undone by 6-of-21 shooting from 3-point range and a critical 17-of-29 performance at the foul line. Western Kentucky set the tone early, leading 48-37 at halftime. The Hilltoppers opened the second half with a 7-3 spurt to push the lead to 15 and maintained a margin of at least 12 points for the final 16 minutes. Liberty could never mount a serious threat, as Western Kentucky’s ball security — only eight turnovers — and sharp shooting neutralized any comeback attempt. The result marked a significant shift in the conference landscape. Liberty, which had been installed as a 7.5-point pregame favorite, saw its lengthy win streak snapped in decisive fashion. The total score of 167 points sailed over the over/under line of 146.5, highlighting the unexpected offensive explosion from the visitors. Western Kentucky, now riding a three-game winning streak, will host New Mexico State on Thursday. Liberty, looking to rebound, will travel to face Kennesaw State on the same night.

LYNCHBURG, Va. (Interstat) — A surging Liberty squad looks to continue its dominant run through Conference USA when it hosts a Western Kentucky team seeking a signature road win Saturday at Vines Center. The Flames (23-3, 11-2 CUSA) enter on a 10-game winning streak, most recently edging Florida International 90-89 in overtime on Thursday. They sit atop the conference standings and have lost only once since mid-December. Liberty previously defeated Western Kentucky 76-69 on Jan. 21 in Bowling Green. Western Kentucky (15-11, 7-6) arrives with momentum from a thrilling 88-87 overtime road victory at Delaware on Wednesday. The Hilltoppers have won three of their last four, but have struggled for consistency in league play. Liberty is anchored by versatile forward Zach Cleveland, who is coming off an 18-point, eight-assist performance against FIU. Over his last eight games, Cleveland has averaged 13.4 points, 7.1 assists and 5.6 rebounds, including a triple-double against Missouri State on Feb. 7. The Hilltoppers counter with high-scoring guard Teagan Moore, who has tallied 55 points over his last two games. He scored 27 in the win at Delaware and 28 in a victory over Middle Tennessee on Feb. 14. Moore was held to 14 points in the first meeting with Liberty. Liberty’s defense, which allows a conference-low 67.2 points per game, will focus on containing Moore and backcourt mate Ryan Myers, who added 22 points and five assists against Delaware. The Flames’ efficient offense, which leads CUSA in field goal percentage, will test a Western Kentucky defense that has been vulnerable on the road. A Liberty win would solidify its position for the top seed in next month’s conference tournament. Western Kentucky needs a résumé-boosting victory to improve its seeding and bolster its hopes for a postseason berth. Tipoff is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Liberty visits Kennesaw State next Thursday, while Western Kentucky hosts New Mexico State next Thursday.