If you were watching on January 2nd, 2026, you saw exactly why this matchup is becoming one of the most stressful dates on the Conference USA calendar. Liberty walked away with an 81-73 win at Liberty Arena, but that score doesn't actually tell you how close the Kennesaw State Owls came to pulling off another miracle in Lynchburg.
Honestly, it felt like a repeat of their old ASUN battles. You've got Liberty, clinical and efficient under Ritchie McKay, and then you have the Owls, who basically refuse to stay down no matter how deep the hole is.
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Kennesaw State started that game looking like they'd forgotten how to put the ball in the hoop. They fell behind by 17 points in the first half. Most teams would've packed it in, especially on the road against a Liberty squad that eventually moved to 14-3.
But Antoine Pettway’s group did something weird. They missed 53 shots—yes, they shot 33.8% from the floor—and yet they still almost won. How? They grabbed 25 offensive rebounds. That is a staggering number for a Division I game. Frankquon Sherman was a monster on the glass, snagging 12 boards, while Ramone Seals and Braedan Lue added 9 each.
Liberty, on the other hand, was the polar opposite. They were efficient. Zach Cleveland was basically playing a different game, going 9-of-13 for 20 points. When Kennesaw cut the lead to a single point at 48-47 in the second half, it was Cleveland and Colin Porter who stabilized the ship.
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The Cottle vs. Decker Jr. Scoring Race
If you’re looking for the best individual battle in CUSA right now, it’s Kennesaw’s Simeon Cottle against Liberty’s Brett Decker Jr.
Cottle is currently leading the conference in scoring at 19.3 points per game. He’s a volume shooter, a guy who isn't afraid to go 8-for-23 because he knows the 24th shot is going in. In the January 2nd game, he dropped a game-high 22 points. He’s already moved into fifth place on Kennesaw State’s all-time scoring list with over 1,460 career points.
Then you have Brett Decker Jr. The kid is leading the nation in three-pointers per game (4.17) and shooting over 52% from deep. Think about that. Most players are happy to hit 40%. Decker Jr. is essentially a cheat code. Liberty is currently the only team in the country with two players—Decker Jr. and Cleveland—on the Lou Henson Award watch list.
Historical Context: It's Getting Personal
This isn't just a random conference game. These two have history that goes back to the 2023 ASUN Championship.
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- Kennesaw State won that title game 67-66.
- That win sent the Owls to their first-ever NCAA Tournament.
- It happened on a last-second free throw.
Liberty hasn't forgotten. Before that 2022-23 season, Liberty had won nine straight against the Owls. Since then, the rivalry has leveled out, and now that both are in Conference USA, the stakes have shifted from "who's the best mid-major in Georgia/Virginia" to "who's going to win this league."
Breaking Down the Numbers
Kennesaw State plays at a breakneck pace. They average 88.9 points per game, which is top-25 in the country. They want to turn the game into a track meet.
Liberty wants to turn it into a surgery. They lead CUSA in field goal percentage (52.2%) and scoring margin (+13.0). They rarely turn the ball over, and they make their free throws. In their last meeting, Liberty shot 79.2% from the stripe compared to Kennesaw’s 69.2%. In an eight-point game, those "boring" stats are exactly why Liberty won.
What to Expect for the Rematch
The two teams meet again on February 26, 2026, at the KSU Convocation Center. If you're betting on this or just watching for fun, keep an eye on the pace.
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If the Owls can force Liberty into a high-possession game and continue to dominate the offensive glass, they have the firepower to win. But if Liberty’s defense—currently third in the league—can keep the Owls under 40% shooting again, it’s going to be a long night for the home crowd.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Glass: If Kennesaw State gets 20+ offensive rebounds again, they are almost impossible to beat at home.
- Monitor the Arc: Brett Decker Jr. is the gravitational center of Liberty's offense. If the Owls don't face-guard him, he will hit five threes before the first media timeout.
- Point Guard Play: Colin Porter is closing in on 1,000 career points for Liberty. His ability to handle Kennesaw's pressure is the single most important factor for the Flames.
- Tickets: Given the history, the February 26th game in Kennesaw will likely sell out. If you're planning to go, buy early; the Convocation Center gets loud, and this is the "Red Out" game of the year.
The Owls are currently sitting at 11-6 overall and 3-3 in conference play, while Liberty is at the top of the mountain at 14-3 and 6-0 in CUSA. The gap in the standings looks wide, but anyone who has watched these two teams knows that when the ball tips, the records go out the window.
Stay tuned for the late February rematch. It’ll likely decide seeding for the CUSA Tournament in Huntsville.
Next Steps:
Check the official Kennesaw State and Liberty athletics websites for updated tip-off times and streaming options on ESPN+ or CBS Sports Network as the February 26 rematch approaches.