LYNCHBURG, Va. — Kaden Metheny delivered a standout performance, contributing 26 points as Liberty edged out Sam Houston 64-61 in a closely contested matchup on Saturday night.

Metheny also grabbed seven rebounds for the Flames, who improved their record to 19-5 overall and 7-4 in Conference USA. Colin Porter added to the team’s efforts with 10 points, while Zach Cleveland scored eight.

On the other side, Marcus Boykin of the Bearkats was the star of the night with 23 points, along with five assists and three steals. Despite his efforts, Sam Houston, now at 8-16 and struggling in their conference play at 1-10, suffered their seventh consecutive defeat. Cameron Huefner contributed 15 points to the Bearkats’ cause, while Lamar Wilkerson chipped in with 11 points and six rebounds.

In the first half, Metheny was instrumental for Liberty, scoring 12 points and helping the Flames to a narrow lead of 33-29 at halftime. The turning point came with just over a minute left in the game when Cleveland made a crucial dunk, giving Liberty a 62-60 advantage that they maintained until the final buzzer.

The victory showcased Liberty’s resilience and marked an essential win as they continue to compete in their conference.