Liberty’s Ritchie McKay becomes winningest coach in program history with victory over FIU

Taelon Peter scored 21 points off of the bench

Liberty head basketball coach Ritchie McKay cuts a strand off the net after defeating Lipscomb in the Atlantic Sun Conference NCAA basketball championship game in Lynchburg, Va., Sunday, March 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Lee Luther Jr.) (Lee Luther Jr., Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

MIAMI – Taelon Peter’s 21 points off of the bench helped Liberty to an 82-59 victory against Florida International on Saturday night.

Peter went 8 of 12 from the field (4 for 7 from 3-point range) for the Flames (16-4, 4-3 Conference USA). Kaden Metheny went 4 of 9 from the field (3 for 7 from 3-point range) to add 13 points. Colin Porter had 12 points and went 5 of 8 from the field (2 for 4 from 3-point range).

Recommended Videos



Jayden Brewer led the way for the Panthers (7-13, 1-6) with 17 points and eight rebounds. Dashon Gittens added 12 points and five steals for Florida International. Jonathan Aybar also had 11 points and eight rebounds.

Peter led his team in scoring with 18 points in the first half to help put them up 43-27 at the break. Liberty outscored Florida International by seven points over the final half, while Porter led the way with a team-high 10 second-half points.

Both teams next play Thursday. Liberty visits Kennesaw State and Florida International squares off against Jacksonville State on the road.