Late run lifts Winthrop over Liberty 73-62

Feb 4, 2014, 09:43 pm

LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Andre Smith hit a 3-pointer to spark an 11-4 run deep in the second half as Winthrop pulled away from a close game to defeat Liberty 73-62 on Tuesday night.

Joab Jerome added a free throw and a jumper, Keon Johnson a 3-pointer and Tevin Prescott a dunk during the run as the Eagles (11-10, 5-4 Big South) boosted a two-point lead to seven, 63-54, in about 4 minutes. Liberty (9-15, 3-6) called time with 2:18 to play, trailing by seven, but Winthrop was a perfect 10-for-10 at the free-throw line after the timeout. Prescott, Smith and Johnson each went 2-for-2 and Keon Moore was 4-for-4.

Jerome led the Eagles with 19 points, Johnson 12 and Moore 11.

Antwan Burrus led the Flames with 16 points off the bench and John-Caleb Sanders added 14. Neither team led by more than five until the breakaway run.