Liberty takes on Jacksonville State in CUSA Championship game
Huntsville, Alabama; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EDT
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Flames -6.5; over/under is 130.5
BOTTOM LINE: Liberty takes on Jacksonville State in the CUSA Championship.
The Flames are 15-5 against CUSA opponents and 12-1 in non-conference play. Liberty leads the CUSA with 76.5 points and is shooting 49.1%.
The Gamecocks' record in CUSA play is 14-6. Jacksonville State is 7-3 in games decided by at least 10 points.
Liberty makes 49.1% of its shots from the field this season, which is 8.2 percentage points higher than Jacksonville State has allowed to its opponents (40.9%). Jacksonville State has shot at a 44.7% rate from the field this season, 4.7 percentage points higher than the 40.0% shooting opponents of Liberty have averaged.
The teams meet for the third time this season. Liberty won 59-55 in the last matchup on Feb. 28. Kaden Metheny led Liberty with 13 points, and Jao Ituka led Jacksonville State with 14 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Metheny is shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc with 2.9 made 3-pointers per game for the Flames, while averaging 13.2 points. Taelon Peter is averaging 15.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals over the past 10 games.
Jaron Pierre Jr. is averaging 21.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Gamecocks. Quel'Ron House is averaging 9.4 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Flames: 9-1, averaging 73.9 points, 29.1 rebounds, 16.4 assists, 5.4 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 65.0 points per game.
Gamecocks: 6-4, averaging 68.5 points, 32.4 rebounds, 9.5 assists, 5.9 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 40.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 67.9 points.
___
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Top contenders in WNBA Commissioner's Cup race
The post Top contenders in WNBA Commissioner's Cup race appeared first on ClutchPoints. The fifth-annual WNBA Commissioner's Cup has been underway for a week, and there's been plenty for fans to feast on. With the competition barreling towards the end and the July 1 championship game, let's take a look at which teams are emerging from the pack and proving they have what it takes to walk away with the in-season tournament trophy. Minnesota Lynx The Minnesota Lynx have somehow exceeded expectations in the 2025 season, positioning themselves as serious contenders for the Commissioner's Cup. Under the guidance of head coach Cheryl Reeve, the Lynx have demonstrated a blend of experience and unselfish play. All five starters boast at least five years of experience, contributing to a cohesive and disciplined team dynamic. Advertisement The Lynx's ball movement is a hallmark of their offense. They've already set multiple new benchmarks in WNBA history so far this season, highlighting their prowess. Minnesota also excels at having defensive discipline, which has been instrumental in their success during the Commissioner's Cup. Specifically, the star power Napheesa Collier brings has made her a standout performer within the league, with her all-around contributions making her a leading MVP candidate. The Lynx have faced challenges, including a narrow win over the Atlanta Dream, but their level of performance so far this season can't be matched by any other team … except one. New York Liberty The New York Liberty are the other side that no one is shocked to see on this list. New York enters the Commissioner's Cup as the reigning WNBA champs after securing the franchise's first-ever title in 2024 and lifting this tournament's trophy in 2023. Believe it or not, but the Liberty have added even more star power and gotten even stronger since then, and their lineup overflowing with talent is poised to get revenge on the Lynx. Advertisement The Liberty have showcased their high-powered offense on their way to the W's other undefeated record. New York may not be as dominant on the defensive side as Minnesota, but the squad can definitely hold its own and compete on both sides of the court. Seasoned veterans like Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones are perfect examples of the kind of experience and skill that lifts the Liberty over most of their opponents and guides them through the high-pressure situations they've won in. That leadership is crucial and just might be what guides the Liberty to the Commissioner's Cup final. Golden State Valkyries The Golden State Valkyries have quickly established themselves as a team to watch in their inaugural season. Under the leadership of head coach Natalie Nakase, the Valkyries have integrated a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers. Advertisement Key veterans like Tiffany Hayes and Kayla Thornton provide the team with both leadership and on-court prowess. The roster is further balanced out with players such as Veronica Burton and Janelle Salaun, who have contributed to their competitive performance. This depth and unprecedented amount of cohesion for an expansion team make them strong Cinderella candidates for the Commissioner's Cup. Phoenix Mercury The Phoenix Mercury have undergone significant roster changes, bringing in stars like Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas over the offseason. These additions have rejuvenated the team, filling the holes left by the talents of veterans such as Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner. Even with Thomas missing time due to injury, the Mercury's blend of experience and youth has translated into a potent offensive and defensive presence on the court. Phoenix's strategic acquisitions and quick-building chemistry position the team as serious contenders for the Cup as the franchise aims to reclaim its status among the W's elite. Seattle Storm Despite offseason changes, including the trade of Jewell Loyd and injuries to key players like Jordan Horston and Nika Mühl, the Seattle Storm have maintained a competitive edge. The Storm's commitment to a strong defensive strategy remains a cornerstone of their play, while their resilience and ability to adapt to challenges keep them in the conversation for the Commissioner's Cup title as they continue to grow their legacy of excellence. Atlanta Dream The Dream have surpassed everyone's expectations after undergoing a transformative offseason and are positioning themselves as strong contenders for the Commissioner's Cup championship. Under the leadership of new head coach Karl Smesko, the team has revamped its roster with a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers despite fans' early skepticism over his game plan. Advertisement WNBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist Griner signed a one-year deal with the Dream, bringing a dominant presence to the frontcourt. Her addition bolsters Atlanta's interior play alongside Brionna Jones and provides leadership on both ends of the court for a rookie presence like Te-Hina Paopao. Meanwhile, Rhyne Howard continues to be the cornerstone of the Dream's offense. Her scoring ability and defensive prowess make her a key player in the team's championship aspirations, and Allisha Gray provides stability and experience to the backcourt. Indiana Fever The Indiana Fever have shown promise over the last few games after dropping the opening contests of the tournament. The addition of a player like DeWanna Bonner brings veteran leadership and scoring ability to the team and led to a potent offensive lineup even when the Fever are playing without key pieces. Advertisement With Caitlin Clark still sidelined for now with a quad injury and the team losing multiple players to other injuries, Indiana has a bit of an uphill battle to the end. Surprising exclusions: Las Vegas Aces The Las Vegas Aces, once a dominant WNBA championship contender, have experienced a concerning dip in form. Despite some mostly strong performances from A'ja Wilson, the team's overall production has declined, and recent losses, including a significant defeat to the Golden State Valkyries, have raised concerns about their winning aspirations. Washington Mystics Despite being amid a rebuild, the Washington Mystics hit the ground running coming into the campaign and quickly blew fans' expectations away. Brittney Sykes has been the team's standout vet, leading the team in scoring and bringing much-needed experience to a largely young and professionally inexperienced roster. Advertisement Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron have been outstanding as a duo and are creeping up the Rookie of the Year ranking list, even taking the top spot for some over No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers. No. 3 pick Citron was known for her scoring and ability to dish dimes, and she's continuing her impact in the W. The Mystics took Iriafen with their following choice, and it's already paying off in the form of her defensive prowess, elite rebounding skill, and Rookie of the Month honors for the month of May. The only thing holding the Mystics back is themselves and a rough stretch of games in their schedule. Washington dropped three straight before getting a break against the one-win Connecticut Sun in a blowout win. With only two games left for the Mystics in the tournament, the field is just too deep for them to catch up. As the end of the WNBA Commissioner's Cup gets closer, the Lynx and Liberty stand out from the pack as contenders to truly fear. The Lynx's blend of experience, unselfish play, and defensive discipline makes them a formidable side with a strong chance at a repeat. Meanwhile, the Liberty's offensive firepower, veteran leadership, and championship pedigree position them as strong contenders to return to the top. However, there's a field of opponents who are itching to pull off an upset and climb to the top over the two favorites. The Valkyries, Mercury, and Dream have all been surprises so far this season, so there's no telling what tricks they could pull out. Regardless of who plays in the upcoming championship game, the final contest promises to be thrilling. Advertisement Related: Week 3 WNBA power rankings: Lynx, Liberty soar as others struggle to launch Related: WNBA encourages girls to 'get buckets' with new 'Line Em Up' campaign
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
WNBA news: Coco Gauff supports Sky-Liberty fresh off French Open win
The post WNBA news: Coco Gauff supports Sky-Liberty fresh off French Open win appeared first on ClutchPoints. Coco Gauff is on top of the world. The tennis phenom is fresh off her historic win at the French Open, becoming the first American to win since Serena Williams in 2015. Advertisement She has made numerous public appearances since while still soaking in her victory. On Tuesday, Gauff sat courtside to watch the New York Liberty and Chicago Sky. '2x Grand Slam champion- Coco Gauff is courstdie in New York @newbalance' the WNBA posted on their X page. Her greatness on the tennis court extends to the basketball court as well. Gauff is one of the investors in the Unrivaled League, the 3-on-3 professional league that debuted earlier this year. Among the other investors include Steph Curry, Carmelo Anthony, JuJu Watkins, Alex Morgan, and Dawn Staley. Gauff is in the process of preparing for Wimbledon as well as looking to win her second grand slam title this year. Advertisement All the while, Gauff's become an icon in this era of popularity for women's sports. In many ways, she is on the same trajectory as the WNBA. Coco Gauff and the WNBA are in this together. While individual and team sports have different dynamics, Gauff and the WNBA share a mutual connection. In other words, their growth in stature is not mutually exclusive. Both are experiencing a tremendous increase in popularity and recognition. The media coverage they generate speaks volumes as Gauff and players in the W are sought after for interviews, endorsement deals, and other aspects of visibility. Gauff herself has expressed admiration for A'ja Wilson. They also share a common bond in speaking out on political and social issues. Advertisement In her spare time, Gauff has used her platform to call out racism and has openly supported the LGBTQ+ community. She also spoke at a Black Lives Matter rally in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd. Social justice is very much embedded within the fabric of the WNBA when it comes to race, gender, and sexuality. In more ways than one, Gauff and the WNBA are much alike. Related: Vanessa Bryant, family spend time courtside at Sky-Liberty matchup Related: Fever-Sky still hit CBS milestone despite Caitlin Clark's absence
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Vanessa Bryant, family spend time courtside at Sky-Liberty matchup
The post Vanessa Bryant, family spend time courtside at Sky-Liberty matchup appeared first on ClutchPoints. The WNBA is making a concentrated effort to promote both the Commissioner's Cup and some of the brightest stars the league has to offer. Tuesday's clash between the reigning champion New York Liberty (9-0) and struggling Chicago Sky (2-6) seemed to intrigue plenty of people, including Vanessa Bryant and her children. Advertisement The wife of the late Kobe Bryant took her three daughters to Brooklyn's Barclays Center to witness the action live and up close, via the WNBA X account. The game itself was not competitive, as the Liberty earned an 85-66 victory that was even more lopsided than the scoreboard suggests, but the star players collectively put on a worthy performance. And then they mingled with the Bryants. Sabrina Ionescu led the way, scoring 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting to go along with seven assists, four steals and two blocks. Two-time WNBA Finals MVP Breanna Stewart added 18 points, seven boards, five assists and two rejections in the win. The Bryant family was surely delighted to see fellow Los Angeles, California native Kennedy Burke drop 15 points in 22 minutes off the bench — went a perfect 3-of-3 from 3-point range. Advertisement Angel Reese managed to make an impact even in defeat, totaling 17 points, 11 rebounds and two steals. She committed five turnovers, but the Sky star did her best to push the team forward. Unfortunately, Ariel Atkins was the only other Chicago player to score in double-figures. Vanessa Bryant shows her support for the W Although she did not witness a barnburner, hopefully Vanessa Bryant is pleased with the state of women's basketball. She has been a big supporter for the league, presenting the WNBA Advocacy Award, which bears the namesake of her late husband and teenage daughter Gianna (nicknamed Gigi), both of whom died in a helicopter crash that killed a total of nine people on Jan. 26, 2020. Gigi wished to pursue a professional basketball career, so obviously the W means a great deal to the entire family. The Bryants watched the Liberty continue their perfect start to the 2025 season, with newly crowned French Open champion Coco Gauff soaking up the contest alongside them. Female star power emanated all throughout the arena. Advertisement Related: Coco Gauff's 'insane' reaction to frenzied ovation at Liberty vs. Sky game Related: WNBA news: Coco Gauff supports Sky-Liberty fresh off French Open win
