The Liberty Flames (21-3, 13-0) will conclude their western trip on Saturday afternoon at UTEP (10-15, 6-8).
Here’s what you need to know about the game:
How to Watch
2 p.m. ET | Saturday, February 14
El Paso, Texas | Don Haskins Center
TV: ESPN2
Liberty vs UTEP Odds (KenPom)
Spread: Liberty -7
Projected score: Liberty 73, UTEP 66
Liberty Projected Starters
#0 Colin Porter
Senior Guard | 5’10”, 170
2025-26 stats: 11.7 ppg, 3.6 apg, 3.0 rpg
#3 Kaden Metheny
R-Senior Guard | 5’11”, 170
2025-26 stats: 13.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.0 apg
#4 Brett Decker
Sophomore Guard | 6’3″, 190
2025-26 stats: 17.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 49.7% 3-point field goals
#9 JJ Harper
R-Senior Guard | 6’5″, 200
2025-26 stats: 11.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.5 apg
#25 Zach Cleveland
Senior Forward | 6’7″, 220
2025-26 stats: 11.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 7.2 apg
Liberty vs UTEP History
Liberty leads, 4-3. The Flames defeated the Miners earlier this season, 80-69, in Lynchburg at Liberty Arena. Liberty is 2-0 all-time at the Don Haskins Center.
Liberty vs UTEP Storylines
PREVIOUS MEETING
Despite surrendering a 17-point lead, Liberty extended its win streak to nine with an 80-69 win over UTEP in January. Brett Decker made 5 of his first 6 shots as the team made 11 of 15 shots to push the lead to double figures early in the game. The lead would grow to as high as 17 late in the first half before UTEP began to claw back into it. The Miners went on a 16-2 run to cut their deficit to 3 at the break. UTEP would tie the game in the opening minutes of the second half before the Flames went on a 15-3 run, holding the Miners scoreless for 4:17 to regain control. The lead would not get closer than six points the rest of the way.
Zach Cleveland led the Flames with 20 points on 9 of 10 field goals. He made his first 9 before missing a three-pointer in the closing minutes. He also added 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and tied his career high with 4 blocked shots. Brett Decker also scored 20 points on 8 of 16 from the field and 3 of 6 from three. Colin Porter had 15 points on 3 of 6 from three while Kaden Metheny added 13 points.
For the game, Liberty shot 59.3% from the field and 7 of 20 (35.0%) from three. The Flames also made 9 of 11 from the free throw line. The Miners shot a season-high against a Division I opponent 54.9% from the field. They were 11 of 23 (47.8%) from three. Liberty won the rebound battle, 23-21 and had 4 offensive rebounds compared to UTEP’s 3. The Flames scored 46 points in the paint compared to 22 by the Miners.
For UTEP, Elijah Jones led the way with 21 points on 9 of 16 shooting while Caleb Blackwel also scored 20 points, making 6 of 11 from three.
SINCE THEN
The Miners have continued their up and down play in recent weeks having not strung together consecutive wins against Division I opponents all season. Since playing the Flames in Lynchburg, UTEP has gone 4-3 with wins at home against FIU, Delaware, and New Mexico State. They have lost at Sam Houston and at home to Missouri State and Louisiana Tech entering this week’s slate. In their most recent game, UTEP upset Jacksonville State in Alabama on Wednesday night, 69-64. Four players reached double figures led by Caleb Blackwell and Elijah Jones who each scored 16.
Projected UTEP starters:
6’1″, SO, KJ Thomas (5.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.3 apg)
6’1″, JR, Caleb Blackwell (10.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.9 apg)
6’6″, SR, Jamal West (13.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg)
6’8″, JR, Elijah Jones (14.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg)
6’9″, JR, Kaseem Watson (12.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg)