LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Freshman Nick Garth scored a career-high 22 points as Lamar used a dominant first half to defeat Liberty 73-58, pushing its win streak to three games.

The Cardinals (5-3) posted a 27-14 lead by halftime. Liberty's 14 points was its fewest in a half since also scoring 14 in 1991.

Lamar outscored Liberty 38-16 on points in the paint -- 10-2 in the first half.

Dorian Chatman added 14 points for Lamar, Lincoln Davis 11 and LeMon Gregory 10.

Liberty (3-8) jump-started its shooting game from 17.6 percent (3-for-17) in the first half to 67 percent (16-for-24) in the second, though the Flames were unable to get any closer than eight points. The Liberty losing skid stretched to seven games.

Evan Maxwell scored 15 points and Lovell Cabbil 14 to lead the Flames. Liberty had 17 turnovers, five coming on Lamar steals and the Cardinals scored 14 points off turnovers.