LYNCHBURG, Va. – Three double-digit scorers, including a 14-point, five rebound performance off the bench from Big South Preseason Player of the Year Ashley Rininger propelled Liberty to a 67-47 win over visiting Longwood Saturday afternoon at the Vines Center.

Rininger, who missed the first matchup of the season inside Willett Hall, provided extra depth to the Flames (17-10, 14-4 BSC) with an eight-point fourth quarter to finish with a game-high 14 points to go along with her five boards. In addition, Liberty had two starters in double figures, as Brooke Alexander put in 13 points and Katelyn Adams finished with 12.

The Flames dominated the glass, as the squad finished with a +25 rebounding margin. In addition, had a 38-14 advantage in points in the pain, as well as a 23-14 advantage in second chance opportunities. Meanwhile, the Liberty's length on defense kept the Lancer offense in check throughout, holding Longwood to a 16-for-63 (.254) shooting performance.

Senior guards Deborah Headen and Kyndal Skersick each finished with 10 points and a combined four three-pointers for the Lancers. However, aside from the 28 combined points from of Headen, Skersick and Khalilah Ali, Liberty held the rest of the Longwood team in check to just 19 points.

Skersick, who has improved her shooting abilities in each of her four seasons at Longwood moved into the top spot in the conference in three-point field goal percentage. After never shooting above.301 in her three previous seasons, Skersick has raised her percentage from beyond the arc to .372 (45-of-121)

Liberty captured its second straight victory, moving into a first-place tie with UNC Asheville after the Bulldogs lost to Campbell Saturday. Meanwhile, Longwood (6-21, 3-15 BSC) drops its season-high seventh straight game while having nine available players.

In the third quarter, the Flames scorers caught fire en route to an 8-for-12 (.667) shooting performance, as the 21-point period coming out of the break extended the Liberty lead from 13 to 17 points.

Three of the league's top-10 rebounders went head-to-head. KK Barbour led Liberty on the glass with 10 boards, while Katelyn Adams added nine rebounds. After recording six-plus rebounds in 10 of her last 14 games, Eboni Gilliam was limited to five in Saturday's contest. 

Longwood will play its final two contests of the regular season, as the squad looks to capture the season sweep over Coastal Carolina Tuesday, March 1. The opening tip inside Willett Hall is set for 7 p.m.

#GoWood