LYNCHBURG, Va.—A 51-point second half from the hosts helped them pull away from Jacksonville State in Sunday's Conference USA match at Liberty.
 
The Flames (11-3, 3-0 CUSA) went 21-of-24 at the free throw line in the second half for a 78-69 win over the Gamecocks.
 
Emondrek Erkins-Ford had a career-high 24 points, going 8-of-11 from the field and 7-of-8 at the free throw line. He added three rebounds and a pair of blocks. Additionally, he drew seven Liberty fouls.
 
Jax State (7-7, 2-1 CUSA) fought back from a seven-point first half deficit with 14:16 remaining with a 19-5 run to take a seven-point lead of their own on a layup by Jacoby Hill with 4:34 until the intermission to give his team a 25-18 advantage.
 
The freshman finished with six points, three rebounds, two steals, and an assist.
 
Liberty outscored the Gamecocks 9-2 over the final 4:09 of the half to tie the game at 27 after 20 minutes. They opened the second half with the first seven points, holding Jax State scoreless until a jumper by Erkins-Ford at the 16:13 mark of the second.
 
The Flames pushed the lead to 11 with 15:21 left with a 6-0 run with four points coming at the free throw line. Jax State got within four at the 12:55 mark on a 3-pointer by AC Bryant, at the 11:16 mark on a layup by Mostapha El Moutaouakkil, and a fast break layup by Bryant at the 10:11 mark, but got no closer the balance of the game.
 
Bryant finished with 22 points, going 5-of-11 from 3-point range and 3-of-3 at the free throw line. He added three rebounds and two assists.
 
Jax State returns to action on Wednesday at home against FIU at 6 p.m.