Liberty Flames Edge Florida International in Overtime Thriller
Thursday, February 19, 2026, 6:00 PM ET · Liberty Arena (VA)
Liberty Flames 90, Florida International Panthers 89, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Florida International Panthers vs Liberty Flames?
Liberty Flames beat Florida International Panthers 90-89 at Liberty Arena (VA) on February 19, 2026.
Who was favored in Florida International Panthers vs Liberty Flames?
Liberty Flames were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -600 (about 86% implied). The favorite won.
In a thrilling encounter at Liberty Arena, the Liberty Flames narrowly defeated the Florida International Panthers 90-89 in overtime. This game showcased the Flames' resilience as they extended their impressive home record to 24-3, while the Panthers fell to 12-15 overall. The match was characterized by intense back-and-forth scoring, with both teams demonstrating their offensive capabilities.
Liberty entered the game on a remarkable 10-game winning streak, having not lost in their last ten outings. Their recent form has been particularly strong, with an average of 76.3 points scored per game while allowing 68.3 points. This performance has been bolstered by a perfect 4-0 home record during this stretch. In their last five games, they have averaged 77.0 points while allowing 69.8. The Flames' ability to maintain this level of play at home has been a key factor in their success this season.
On the other hand, Florida International had been struggling, with a record of 3-7 in their last ten games leading up to this matchup. Their scoring average was 75.3 points per game, but they were allowing a concerning 77.9 points, indicating defensive vulnerabilities. Despite their recent challenges, the Panthers managed to secure a victory in their last game against Louisiana Tech, which may have provided a confidence boost heading into this contest.
Historically, Liberty has dominated this matchup, winning all three previous meetings against Florida International. The Flames won their last encounter on December 28, 2025, with a score of 97-94, and they also secured victories earlier in the 2025 season with scores of 58-45 and 82-59. This history added an extra layer of intrigue to the game, as the Panthers sought to break their losing streak against the Flames.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any key players missing from either team, suggesting both squads were at full strength for this critical matchup. The absence of significant injuries can often impact team performance, and both teams were able to field their best lineups.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Liberty favored by 9.5 points, with a total set at 152.5. The odds reflected the Flames' strong home performance and overall record, but the close final score indicated that the game was much more competitive than the spread suggested. Liberty was listed at -600 for the money line, while Florida International was at +440, highlighting the expectations for the Flames to win.
The game conditions were conducive to a high-scoring affair, with both teams showcasing their offensive strengths. Liberty's ability to score in the clutch was evident, particularly in the overtime period, where they executed crucial plays to secure the win. The Flames' Kaden Metheny hit a significant 24-foot three-point jumper that helped shift momentum in Liberty's favor during the extra period.
As the game progressed into overtime, the tension mounted, with both teams exchanging leads. Corey Stephenson of Florida International made critical free throws to keep the Panthers in contention, but Liberty's Colin Porter responded with his own free throws to seal the victory. Ultimately, the Flames' ability to execute under pressure, combined with their strong home court advantage, proved decisive in this closely contested matchup.
Overall, this game was a testament to Liberty's dominance in their recent form and their ability to perform in high-pressure situations. For Florida International, despite the loss, there were moments of promise that could be built upon in future games. The Flames continue to solidify their position as a formidable opponent in the NCAAB landscape.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | LIB -9.5 | 152.5 o -115 / u -105 | Florida International Panthers +440 · Liberty Flames -600 |
Leaders
- PointsZach Cleveland18Liberty Flames
- AssistsZach Cleveland8Liberty Flames
- ReboundsJosh Smith7Liberty Flames
- PointsCorey Stephenson23Florida International Panthers
- AssistsZawdie Jackson3Florida International Panthers
- ReboundsEric Dibami10Florida International Panthers
Recent form
Liberty Flames
Last 10: 10-0Streak W1076.3 scored · 68.3 allowed per game4-0 at home
- W73-64at UTEP MinersFeb 14
- W77-75at New Mexico State AggiesFeb 12
- W79-76vs Missouri State BearsFeb 7
- W75-69at Delaware Blue HensFeb 5
- W81-65at Middle Tennessee Blue RaidersJan 30
- W67-51vs Delaware Blue HensJan 24
- W76-69at Western Kentucky HilltoppersJan 22
- W80-69vs UTEP MinersJan 17
- W73-71vs New Mexico State AggiesJan 15
- W82-74at Sam Houston BearkatsJan 10
Florida International Panthers
Last 10: 3-7Streak W175.3 scored · 77.9 allowed per game2-4 away
- W77-64vs Louisiana Tech BulldogsFeb 14
- L66-68vs Delaware Blue HensFeb 13
- L70-80at Western Kentucky HilltoppersFeb 7
- W88-84at Middle Tennessee Blue RaidersFeb 5
- L74-78vs Jacksonville State GamecocksJan 29
- W81-78at New Mexico State AggiesJan 24
- L77-83at UTEP MinersJan 23
- L63-76vs Sam Houston BearkatsJan 17
- L86-89at Kennesaw State OwlsJan 15
- L71-79at Missouri State BearsJan 10
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 26-8 | - | 17-3 |
| Sam Houston | 22-12 | 4 | 13-7 |
| Louisiana Tech | 20-14 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Western Kentucky | 18-14 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Middle Tennessee | 17-15 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Kennesaw State | 21-14 | 7 | 10-10 |
| Jacksonville State | 15-17 | 7 | 10-10 |
| New Mexico State | 16-16 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Missouri State | 16-18 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Florida International | 15-17 | 9 | 8-12 |
| UTEP | 11-20 | 8 | 7-13 |
| Delaware | 10-21 | 11 | 6-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Florida International Panthers | Liberty Flames |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 32-71 | 30-59 |
| Field goal % | 45 | 51 |
| Three-pointers | 8-19 | 14-28 |
| Three-point % | 42 | 50 |
| Free throws | 17-19 | 16-22 |
| Free throw % | 89 | 73 |
| Rebounds | 42 | 29 |
| Offensive rebounds | 17 | 5 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 24 |
| Assists | 10 | 19 |
| Steals | 11 | 9 |
| Blocks | 7 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 15 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 2 | 1 |
| Points off turnovers | 20 | 17 |
| Fast-break points | 6 | 11 |
| Points in the paint | 42 | 32 |
| Fouls | 17 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 5 | 11 |
| Lead changes | 19 | 19 |
| Time in front | 38 | 48 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half60-55Brit Harris makes layup
- 2nd Half60-56Brett Decker Jr. makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half60-57Brett Decker Jr. makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half60-58Brett Decker Jr. makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half62-58Brit Harris makes layup
- 2nd Half62-61Kaden Metheny makes 23-foot three point jumper (Josh Smith assists)
- 2nd Half64-61Hamed Olayinka makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half64-63Josh Smith makes layup (Colin Porter assists)
- 2nd Half64-66Colin Porter makes 24-foot three point jumper (Zander Carter assists)
- 2nd Half65-66Zawdie Jackson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-66Zawdie Jackson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-69Zander Carter makes 23-foot three point jumper (JJ Harper assists)
- 2nd Half68-69Zawdie Jackson makes driving layup
- 2nd Half70-69Thiago Sucatzky makes 12-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half70-70Zander Carter makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-72Zach Cleveland makes driving layup
- 2nd Half73-72Corey Stephenson makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half75-72Hamed Olayinka makes 7-foot floating jump shot (Corey Stephenson assists)
- 2nd Half75-73Josh Smith makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half75-75Zach Cleveland makes driving layup (Kaden Metheny assists)
- 2nd Half78-75Julian Mackey makes 23-foot three point jumper (Zawdie Jackson assists)
- 2nd Half79-75Hamed Olayinka makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half80-75Hamed Olayinka makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-78Kaden Metheny makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half80-79Brett Decker Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half80-80Brett Decker Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT82-80Corey Stephenson makes 21-foot jumper
- OT82-82Zach Cleveland makes driving layup
- OT82-83Zach Cleveland makes free throw 1 of 1
- OT83-83Zawdie Jackson makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT84-83Zawdie Jackson makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT84-85Zach Cleveland makes driving layup
- OT85-85Corey Stephenson makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT86-85Corey Stephenson makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT86-88Kaden Metheny makes 24-foot three point jumper (Zach Cleveland assists)
- OT86-89Colin Porter makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT86-90Colin Porter makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT87-90Brit Harris makes free throw 1 of 3
- OT88-90Brit Harris makes free throw 2 of 3
- OT89-90Brit Harris makes free throw 3 of 3
Win probability
Above the line favours Liberty Flames, below favours Florida International Panthers.
Venue
- Liberty Arena (VA)Lynchburg, VA
- Attendance3553
- OfficialsRoger Ayers, Vladimir Voyard-Tadal, Bharat Ramnanan
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