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SEATTLE, Wash – On Sunday, December 18th at 12PM, the (8-1) Washington Huskies will resume their nonconference schedule by hosting the (2-5) Liberty Lady Flames at Hec Ed.
The game will be streamed on the Washington Live Stream (GoHuskies.com/Live).
OFFENSE
Liberty averages 60.7 points per game versus 68.0 points per game by the Huskies.
The Flames are lead by #20 Mya Berkman, their only double figures scorer at 14.3 points per game.
Mya with the up and under layup! #D2TS pic.twitter.com/r45afMUeZz
— Liberty Women's Basketball (@LibertyWBB) December 4, 2022
The 6’3″ Berkman is intriguing in that she is exclusively a scorer inside the lane for the Flames — recording zero attempts outside the lane, thus far this season.
Chart courtesy of CBBAnalytics.
The next highest scoring averages for Liberty are 5’11” guard #23 Emma Hess (8.4 ppg); 6’1″ forward #22 Jordan Bailey (7.4 ppg); and 5’7″ guard #1 Kennedi Williams (7.3 ppg), respectively.
Emma Hess
Hess ???? pic.twitter.com/Up0VlZIdPv
— Liberty Women's Basketball (@LibertyWBB) November 18, 2022
Jordan Bailey
Jordan drives for 2! #D2TS pic.twitter.com/NicOWHqL2C
— Liberty Women's Basketball (@LibertyWBB) November 23, 2022
Kennedi Willams
Kennedi with the nifty move for 2! pic.twitter.com/bOYRiHvIqt
— Liberty Women's Basketball (@LibertyWBB) November 23, 2022
Besides being a low scoring team, the Liberty Flames do not have a highly efficient offense — they shoot 48.3% on two-pointers (mostly in the lane) and only 28.2% from three-point range.
Meanwhile, 55% of the Liberty’s total points come from two-point range and 26.1% from three-point range.
The Flames are most effective at-the-rim within 4.5 feet (61.2% — thanks to Berkman); in the lane (39.8%); in the leftside high midrange (39.1%) and on three-pointers from the corners (31.9% combined).
Defending Liberty Corner Three-Pointers
The Liberty Flames’s offense does emphasize three-point attempts from the corners.
AC knocks down her 2nd triple of the day! #D2TS pic.twitter.com/2FNHTD2482
— Liberty Women's Basketball (@LibertyWBB) December 4, 2022
AC with the corner 3! #D2TS pic.twitter.com/2t6hPRoxYb
— Liberty Women's Basketball (@LibertyWBB) December 4, 2022
Emma's corner triple gives us our 1st lead! #D2TS pic.twitter.com/BUqOebLYsb
— Liberty Women's Basketball (@LibertyWBB) December 4, 2022
Although the Huskies three-point defense has struggled all season, this is a simple assignment – defend Liberty’s corner three-pointers.
Meanwhile, the Huskies continue to struggle with their three-point offense, shooting only 24.3% — so the Huskies can not afford to get in a three-point shooting contest with Liberty.
However, if Lauren Schwartz can resume her hot three-point shooting from the Washington State game, she could give the Huskies offense a huge boost from deep.
Rebounding
The Washington Huskies average 16.8 offensive rebounds per game, which ranks in the top 3% nationwide.
Washington averages 27.7 defensive rebounds per game, ranking in the Top 20% nationwide.
The Dawgs’ total rebounds (44.4 per game) ranks in the Top 4% nationally.
By comparison, Liberty (perhaps surprisingly) averages 14.0 offensive rebounds, which ranks in the the Top 20% nationwide.
The Flames only average 24.4 defensive rebounds per game, which ranks in the Bottom 43% nationally.
If the Dawgs can dominate the boards and limit Liberty’s offensive rebounds; as well as, neutralize the inside scoring of Flames leading scorer Berkman, it should be a decisive win over Liberty.
