Minaya scores 22, Liberty defeats VMI 100-82

LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) — David Minaya scored a career-high 22 points and hot-shooting Liberty defeated Virginia Military Institute 100-82 on Thursday night.

The Flames’ victory over the nation’s No. 1 scoring offense marks the first time Liberty has reached triple digits since a 110-102 win over the Keydets on Jan. 2, 2009.

Jesse Sanders added 21 points, hitting 13 of 15 free throws, and had a career-high 13 assists for the Flames (14-7, 8-1 Big South Conference), who have won three straight and seven of their last eight.

Austin Kenon scored 29 points for VMI (11-8, 4-5), which came in averaging 92.7 points per game.

With the Keydets ahead 24-20 with 10:20 left in the first half, Liberty used a 15-2 run to lead 35-26.

VMI got to 48-44, but John Brown made a layup and Minaya a 3-pointer for the Flames, who had their highest field-goal percentage of the season at 56.3 percent (36 of 64).