LYNCHBURG, Va. - The Liberty women's basketball team jumped out to an early13-2 lead and never looked back as the Lady Flames defeated theCoastal Carolina Lady Chanticleers, 68-40, in the Vines Center Saturday night.

After getting out to the early lead in the first half, Liberty (8-3, 2-0
BSC) pushed its lead to as many as 20 in the first half at 31-11 on a jumper
by Ana Sousa (Sr., F, Alverca, Portugal) at the 4:09 mark in the opening
period. The Chanticleers (5-5, 1-1 BSC) were able to cut the lead to 16 by
halftime at 34-18.

Liberty opened the second half with a 13-3 run to increase the team's lead
to 49-21with 14:04 to go in the game. The Lady Flames led by as much as 31
points in the second half and finished with a 28-point victory, 68-40.

For the game, Kristal Tharp (So., F, Chillicothe, Ohio) led the Lady Flames
with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting and seven rebounds. Katie Feenstra (So.,
C, Grand Rapids, Mich.) and Stephanie Walker (So., G, Richmond, Va.) added
10 points apiece for Liberty. Feenstra also blocked seven shots, setting a
new Vines Center record.

For Coastal Carolina, Amber Rose scored a caree-high14 points and Crystal Brown pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the Lady Chanticleers.

Coastal will return to action on Saturday, January 11, when the Lady Chants
host High Point at 7 p.m.