Metheny, Peter lead Liberty to its first CUSA tourney title with 79-67 win over Jacksonville State
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Kaden Metheny scored 21 points and Taelon Peter added 20, and top-seeded Liberty pulled away early in the second half to beat No. 2 seed Jacksonville State 79-67 on Saturday night for its first Conference USA Tournament title.
Liberty, in its second season as a member of CUSA, clinched its sixth NCAA Tournament berth in program history and its first since the Flames won the ASUN Conference Tournament in 2021.
Jacksonville State trailed 39-35 one minute into the second half before the Flames pulled away on a 26-10 run for its largest lead, 65-45, with 7:24 remaining. Metheny scored eight points and Peter scored seven during the stretch. Peter's dunk capped the Flames scoring with about a minute left.
Metheny shot 7 of 15 from the floor and 5 of 10 from long range. Peter was 7-of-7 shooting from the field that included three 3-pointers and was 3 of 4 from the foul line. Colin Porter added 13 points and Zach Cleveland had 10 for Liberty (28-6), which also made its second appearance in the CUSA title game.
Jaron Pierre Jr. scored 19 points to lead Jacksonville State (22-12). Marcellus Brigham Jr. scored all 12 of his points in the second half and Quel'Ron House chipped in with 11 points.
Metheny made three 3-pointers and scored 11 points in the first half to help Liberty build a 37-33 advantage. Pierre shot 6 of 12 and scored 16 first-half points to pace Jacksonville State.
__
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
ICE's go-to charter airline for deportations also flew NCAA teams, Inter Miami and more
Cheers greeted the Memphis men's basketball team as it emerged from an Airbus A320 on the night of March 16. The plane had carried the team from Fort Worth, Texas, to Memphis International Airport, and the flight home was a joyous one. The 16th-ranked Tigers were American Athletic Conference tournament champions and NCAA Tournament-bound. The trophy, topped by a large silver basketball, was buckled into a seat next to head coach Penny Hardaway. Advertisement On the tarmac, cameras flashed. Hardaway gave well-wishers a thumbs-up. Players high-fived fans. Less than 12 hours later, the same Airbus A320 – tail number N281GX – flew from El Paso, Texas, to Tapachula, Mexico. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) flight transported 105 men, seven women and one child. Handcuffs, leg irons, and a waist chain likely restrained most adults' wrists and ankles. Guards monitored the cabin. After landing in Tapachula, the sullen passengers filed off the plane, met by Mexican authorities in safety vests. Both flights were operated by Global Crossing Airlines, commonly referred to as GlobalX, a charter company based in Miami. In the last eight months, the company has transported athletic teams from Arkansas, Kentucky, Houston, Kansas, Marquette, Memphis, Miami, North Carolina and St. John's, among others. During March Madness, GlobalX planes carried the Duke men back from the Final Four and the UConn women home after winning the national title. GlobalX also has ferried professional teams, including Inter Miami CF and its star, Lionel Messi. At the same time, GlobalX has operated more than half of ICE deportation flights. The airline regularly shuttles deportees to Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and elsewhere, sometimes on the same planes that only hours or days earlier carried sports teams. The Trump administration's controversial March 15 deportation of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia and more than 200 others to El Salvador involved three GlobalX planes. Two of them carried college basketball teams in the weeks prior. 'When you get asked to do an NCAA flight, you feel lighter,' said a former GlobalX pilot who spoke on the condition he not be identified. 'If your team wins, you get the honor of transporting the winning team. It's just a feeling of accomplishment. For me doing an ICE flight, I don't want to be dramatic and say it's like a death sentence, but I hated it.' Advertisement The system of chartered ICE flights – referred to as ICE Air – has operated for more than a decade, spanning presidential administrations, immigration policies and airlines. The flights have long drawn criticism from human rights advocates, raising concerns about mistreatment of detainees, safety and a lack of transparency. Less spotlighted has been the crossover between GlobalX's sports charters and ICE Air, as universities and sports organizations unwittingly support a company deeply involved in and profiting from deportation flights. 'They may not have known, but now they do, so now they have a choice to make,' said Ann Skeet, a senior director at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. 'They need to think about the purpose of their organization and their mission, and whether or not using a charter service that also serves ICE is consistent with their mission.' GlobalX and ICE didn't respond to emailed questions. Only 10 of 20 universities responded to requests for comment from The Athletic about flights their teams took on GlobalX in recent months. The schools willing to speak about the matter said they were unaware that the planes they were on were also used to deport people. Memphis, for one, said in a statement: 'The University of Memphis uses multiple sources to charter athletic flights and have no knowledge of their customer base.' Many schools and coaches declined to address the issue at all; several feared potential retaliation given the Trump administration's targeting of some universities. The first GlobalX revenue flight took off in August 2021. A slogan on the airline's website promised: 'You can't beat the eXperience.' The company soon became a major player in the sports charter business as its fleet expanded to more than a dozen. Past clients include professional basketball and football teams, a national soccer team, a major cricket tournament and an array of college sports teams. 'We do fly some of the biggest stars in professional sports, in soccer and some of the top – I think 10 of the top 20 college basketball teams for this season,' Ryan Goepel, the company's president and chief financial officer, said during an earnings call in March. Advertisement GlobalX provided four dedicated aircraft for the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments this year as part of a contract worth at least $5 million, continuing a years-long relationship with the NCAA. March Madness travel is organized through the NCAA's charter program. Third-party brokers usually arrange travel for college teams during the regular season. In response to questions from The Athletic about GlobalX, the NCAA issued a statement that didn't address them: 'The NCAA contracts only with safe and regulated charter plane vendors that maintain specified certifications, high ratings on reliable scales and meet insurance standards. The approval process for vendors is rigorous. We are not aware of any instances of sub-standard service on any charter flights during this championship season.' A promotional video for sports charters on the GlobalX website earlier this year featured gourmet snacks, a grinning flight crew and spacious seats, complete with pillows, blankets and Fiji bottled water. A company brochure described its charter flights as 'the ultimate in flexibility, convenience, and luxury' and 'your ticket to wherever you want, whenever you want.' 'They were great flights, they are all excited about playing and having fun,' a second former GlobalX pilot said of the sports charters. 'That was one part of GlobalX's business model. The other part was the deportations.' Tom Cartwright, an immigration advocate who tracks ICE flights, first noted ICE's use of GlobalX in late 2021. GlobalX announced a five-year contract in August 2024 worth $65 million per year as a subcontractor to CSI Aviation for the flights. Cartwright estimates that from March through May of this year, GlobalX operated 64 percent of total ICE Air flights and 62 percent of deportation flights. Most adult passengers are required to be 'fully restrained' with 'handcuffs, waist chains, and leg irons,' according to the ICE Air Operations handbook. Carry-on items like books aren't allowed. Detainees can't wear belts, hats or shoelaces. 'They're in conditions that you would see in a POW camp,' said the first former GlobalX pilot. Advertisement An Airbus A320 with the tail number N291GX joined the GlobalX fleet last year, and its usage in recent months illustrates the disparate worlds the airline straddles. That plane carried San Diego State, Maryland, Kentucky and Auburn during the NCAA Tournament. In the two months preceding March Madness, N291GX flew dozens of times with flight numbers and destinations that match ICE Air routes. The plane traveled from Alexandria, La., to the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, then onto Comayagua, Honduras. The Honduran foreign minister tweeted a photo of the aircraft. ICE later announced that 177 detained migrants from Venezuela had been flown from Guantanamo Bay to Honduras, where a Venezuelan plane picked them up. En un trabajo conjunto, por instrucciones de la Presidenta @XiomaraCastroZ en cooperación con los y la República Bolivariana Venezuela con quienes Honduras tiene relaciones diplomáticas, con la labor de @Sedenahn @riximga @CancilleriaHN se realizan Acciones Humanitarias… — Enrique Reina (@EnriqueReinaHN) February 20, 2025 Another trip deported 157 migrants from El Paso, Texas, to Tapachula, Mexico. Local media reported that passengers had been 'handcuffed and shackled from the waist to the feet and hands.' The plane flew from El Paso to San Pedro Sula, Honduras, using a flight number associated with ICE Air. The airport is a regular destination for deportation flights. The next day, March 17, the same plane carried the San Diego State men's basketball team to Dayton, Ohio, and on March 19, it flew the Maryland men to Seattle. The plane traveled to San Salvador, El Salvador on another trip using a flight number associated with ICE Air, then, a week later, on April 2, ferried the Auburn men's basketball team to San Antonio International Airport for the Final Four, where a mariachi group and dancers in bright dresses greeted them in a hangar. Another GlobalX plane – tail number N278GX – landed in San Salvador on Jan. 29, according to flight records and local media reports. More than 80 deportees were aboard. A reporter for El Diario de Hoy photographed the red wrists of one of the passengers and wrote they 'show signs of having been handcuffed for hours.' Two days later, the Kansas State men's basketball team flew from Manhattan, Kan., to Des Moines, Iowa, aboard the same plane in advance of a game against Iowa State in Ames, Iowa. (In a statement, Kansas State said it has been 'pleased' with GlobalX's 'aircraft and service.') Advertisement Also on Jan. 29, a different GlobalX plane with the tail number N837VA ferried 40 deportees to San Pedro Sula. 'They brought me in chains from last night until we arrived here. We're not criminals,' one of the passengers, Dagoberto Portillo, told local media. 'I don't understand the treatment of migrants.' Three days later, the Nebraska men's basketball team traveled aboard the same plane from Lincoln, Neb., to Eugene, Ore. The university said in a statement that the school wasn't 'involved in how that plane was received or procured.' Another GlobalX plane with the tail number N276GX landed at Eduardo Gomes International Airport in Manaus, Brazil, on Jan. 24 with 88 Brazilian deportees. Someone activated the aircraft's emergency exit slides. Photos and videos recorded a chaotic scene where shackled passengers stood on a wing and others roamed the tarmac. Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs derided 'the use of handcuffs and chains' and 'undignified treatment' on the flight. 'The most difficult moment was when the air conditioning broke down in the air, people started to feel sick, some fainted and children were crying,' Kaleb Barbosa, one of the passengers, told the Brazilian media outlet G1. 'The turbines were stopping during the flight; it was desperate, like something out of a movie.' The same plane carried the men's basketball teams from Arkansas and Houston in the previous two months, amid a stream of deportation trips. Those didn't stop. Neither did the sports flights. On May 13, the plane transported the Miami track and field team to the Atlantic Coast Conference outdoor championships in Winston-Salem, N.C. Miami's men's and women's basketball teams and baseball team also have flown GlobalX this year. The university didn't respond to a request for comment. A higher-profile Miami team is featured on GlobalX's Instagram account. The airline shuttled Messi and the rest of Inter Miami CF to preseason matches in Peru and Honduras this year in addition to a match in Kansas City. Inter Miami also didn't respond to a request for comment. Advertisement When Inter Miami arrived at Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport in San Pedro Sula on Feb. 8, fire trucks shot arcs of water over the plane with the tail number N281GX. Photographers snapped pictures of players, including Messi, walking down the passenger stairs. Contrast that with a flight that same plane made into San Pedro Sula on Dec. 4. Deportees, some of them with children, were photographed as they walked the tarmac. Behind them was the plane they traveled on, 'GlobalX' written in giant blue letters across its fuselage. 'On the one hand, you have the low-end flights for people, which are basically shackled in the sky,' said Angelina Godoy, director of the University of Washington's Center for Human Rights and author of a 2022 study about ICE Air, 'and then you have the other end, the very high-end flights, with these corporate logos and everything on the plane and the athletes in there looking great … and it's the same damn (plane).' (Graphics: Drew Jordan / The Athletic) (Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photos: Sarah Stier, Orlando Sierra / Getty Images, Moises Castillo, Larry MacDougal / AP Photo)
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
LSU's Kim Mulkey Sends Message to Flau'jae Johnson After Career Announcement
LSU's Kim Mulkey Sends Message to Flau'jae Johnson After Career Announcement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Flau'Jae Johnson is not only a star basketball player for the LSU Tigers. She is also a multi-talented woman. Advertisement Over the last three years, she has helped lead the Tigers to the Elite Eight round of the women's NCAA Tournament. As a freshman during the 2022-23 season, she teamed with Angel Reese, who is now with the WNBA's Chicago Sky, to guide LSU to the national championship with a win over Caitlin Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes. Johnson is also a rapper who has appeared on "America's Got Talent" and "The Rap Game." She has released three albums, and on Friday, her new single, named "Remember When," dropped. Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey took to X to congratulate Johnson. "Proud of you @Flaujae 💜🤍💛," Johnson wrote. Johnson, who is originally from Georgia and also played baseball as a kid, averaged 11.0 points and 5.9 rebounds a game as a freshman at LSU. Last season, she put up 18.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 steals a game while shooting 46.8% from the field and 38.3% from 3-point range. Advertisement The 5-foot-10 guard was named to the All-SEC first team this past season. She had the opportunity to declare herself eligible for this year's WNBA draft, but she decided to instead remain at LSU for her senior season. LSU Tigers guard Flau'Jae Johnson (4) drives to the basket at Florida Gators guard Jeriah Warren (20) Matt Pendleton: Imagn Images She has already signed with Unrivaled, a women's pro three-on-three basketball league. She has a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with the league, and she, along with Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings, has ownership equity as part of that NIL deal. Related: Paige Bueckers' Former Teammate Sends Message After Career Move This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12 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
