Liberty Flames Defeat Kennesaw State Owls 81-73
Friday, January 2, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Liberty Arena (VA)
Liberty Flames 81, Kennesaw State Owls 73, 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 Kennesaw State Owls vs Liberty Flames?
Liberty Flames beat Kennesaw State Owls 81-73 at Liberty Arena (VA) on January 2, 2026.
Who was favored in Kennesaw State Owls vs Liberty Flames?
Liberty Flames were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -340 (about 77% implied). The favorite won.
In a closely contested matchup, the Liberty Flames emerged victorious against the Kennesaw State Owls with a final score of 81-73 at Liberty Arena in Virginia. This game highlighted the Flames' strong home performance, extending their home record to 11-3 and showcasing their recent form, which includes a three-game winning streak.
The Flames have been impressive at home, boasting a record of 4-1 in their last five games, with an average of 78.6 points scored and 69.4 points allowed. Their recent games include notable victories against Florida International Panthers (97-94), Dayton Flyers (64-61), and Midway Eagles (95-57). In contrast, the Owls, who now hold an away record of 1-4 in their last five games, have struggled on the road, averaging 89.8 points scored but allowing 73.6 points. Their last few outings included a loss to Alabama Crimson Tide (81-92) and a narrow defeat against Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (67-68).
Historically, the Flames have had the upper hand in their recent meetings with the Owls, leading the head-to-head record 2-1. Earlier this season, Liberty won 76-68 when they faced Kennesaw State on January 31, 2025, and also secured a close victory on March 14, 2025, with a score of 81-79. The Owls managed to win one of their encounters on March 2, 2025, with a score of 85-80.
In terms of player performance, the Flames were able to maintain their momentum throughout the game, with critical contributions in the second half. Key scoring plays included a dunk by Zach Cleveland and free throws by Brett Decker Jr. that helped solidify their lead. The Flames' scoring was consistent, allowing them to stay ahead despite the Owls' attempts to close the gap.
The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, favored Liberty with a spread of -7.5 and a money line of -340, indicating a strong belief in their ability to win. The total points were set at 158.5, reflecting expectations for a high-scoring game, which ultimately played out as both teams combined for 154 points.
The conditions at Liberty Arena were conducive to an exciting game, with the home crowd providing a significant boost to the Flames. The atmosphere was electric, and the Flames capitalized on their home advantage, which has been a crucial factor in their successful season.
As the game progressed, viewers were treated to a display of skill and determination from both teams. The Flames' ability to execute in crucial moments, particularly in the second half, was a key factor in their victory. The Owls, while showing flashes of brilliance, could not overcome the Flames' defensive pressure and timely scoring.
Overall, this matchup not only showcased the competitive spirit of both teams but also highlighted the Flames' strength at home, setting the stage for their continued success in the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | LIB -7.5 | 158.5 o -108 / u -112 | Kennesaw State Owls +270 · Liberty Flames -340 |
Leaders
- PointsZach Cleveland20Liberty Flames
- AssistsKaden Metheny4Liberty Flames
- ReboundsZach Cleveland7Liberty Flames
- PointsSimeon Cottle22Kennesaw State Owls
- AssistsDarius Washington III9Kennesaw State Owls
- ReboundsFrankquon Sherman12Kennesaw State Owls
Recent form
Liberty Flames
Last 10: 7-3Streak W379.1 scored · 68 allowed per game4-1 at home
- W97-94at Florida International PanthersDec 28
- W64-61at Dayton FlyersDec 20
- W95-57vs Midway EaglesDec 16
- L45-85at NC State WolfpackDec 11
- W92-50vs Coppin State EaglesDec 6
- L64-74at Bradley BravesNov 26
- L69-72vs Towson TigersNov 25
- W79-73at Vermont CatamountsNov 24
- W98-46vs Carolina University BruinsNov 18
- W88-68vs Florida Atlantic OwlsNov 9
Kennesaw State Owls
Last 10: 6-4Streak L292.3 scored · 81.1 allowed per game1-3 away
- L81-92at Alabama Crimson TideDec 21
- L67-68at Middle Tennessee Blue RaidersDec 18
- W121-66vs Southern Wesleyan WarriorsDec 8
- W92-69vs Georgia State PanthersDec 6
- W88-73vs Jackson State TigersDec 3
- W102-100at Florida Gulf Coast EaglesNov 27
- L83-91at Oral Roberts Golden EaglesNov 25
- W89-84vs Rice OwlsNov 24
- L89-108vs South Florida BullsNov 16
- W111-60vs Point SkyhawksNov 13
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 | Kennesaw State Owls | Liberty Flames |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 27-80 | 27-53 |
| Field goal % | 34 | 51 |
| Three-pointers | 10-36 | 8-21 |
| Three-point % | 28 | 38 |
| Free throws | 9-13 | 19-24 |
| Free throw % | 69 | 79 |
| Rebounds | 49 | 33 |
| Offensive rebounds | 25 | 4 |
| Defensive rebounds | 24 | 29 |
| Assists | 15 | 15 |
| Steals | 8 | 9 |
| Blocks | 2 | 8 |
| Turnovers | 13 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 11 | 15 |
| Fast-break points | 2 | 10 |
| Points in the paint | 32 | 32 |
| Fouls | 20 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 1 | 17 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 1 | 99 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half39-46Braedan Lue makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half40-46Braedan Lue makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half41-46Braedan Lue makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half41-48JJ Harper makes driving layup
- 2nd Half42-48Amir Taylor makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half44-48Frankquon Sherman makes layup
- 2nd Half47-48Simeon Cottle makes 26-foot three point jumper (Darius Washington III assists)
- 2nd Half47-50Colin Porter makes driving layup
- 2nd Half49-50Ramone Seals makes layup (Darius Washington III assists)
- 2nd Half49-52Colin Porter makes 11-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half49-53Colin Porter makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half52-53Ramone Seals makes 25-foot three point jumper (Darius Washington III assists)
- 2nd Half52-55Zach Cleveland makes 2-foot dunk (Zander Yates assists)
- 2nd Half52-58Brett Decker Jr. makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half52-59Brett Decker Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-60Brett Decker Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-60Simeon Cottle makes 13-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half54-61Zach Cleveland makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-61Braedan Lue makes 7-foot turnaround jump shot (Simeon Cottle assists)
- 2nd Half56-63Zach Cleveland makes 9-foot hook shot (Kaden Metheny assists)
- 2nd Half58-63Frankquon Sherman makes layup
- 2nd Half58-65Kaden Metheny makes layup (Zach Cleveland assists)
- 2nd Half60-65Braedan Lue makes layup
- 2nd Half60-68Colin Porter makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half60-70Josh Smith makes layup (Colin Porter assists)
- 2nd Half63-70Ramone Seals makes 23-foot three point jumper (Simeon Cottle assists)
- 2nd Half63-71Josh Smith makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-72Josh Smith makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-72Ramone Seals makes 24-foot three point jumper (Darius Washington III assists)
- 2nd Half68-72Darius Washington III makes layup
- 2nd Half68-74Zach Cleveland makes 9-foot hook shot (Kaden Metheny assists)
- 2nd Half69-74Darius Washington III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-76Zach Cleveland makes 5-foot dunk (Kaden Metheny assists)
- 2nd Half69-77Brett Decker Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-78Brett Decker Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-78Simeon Cottle makes driving layup
- 2nd Half71-79JJ Harper makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-79Braedan Lue makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half73-80Colin Porter makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half73-81Colin Porter makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Liberty Flames, below favours Kennesaw State Owls.
Venue
- Liberty Arena (VA)Lynchburg, VA
- Attendance3415
- OfficialsMick Fieldbinder, Kevin Mathis, Stephen Orkus Jr
Elsewhere
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- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond