High Point made a furious rally at the end of the game, but came up short Friday night in front of a regional-television audience, as homestanding Liberty won its 16th-consecutive game, a 77-68 win over the Panthers at the Vines Center.

The Lady Flames won their 20th game of the season (20-3, 11-0 Big South), while High Point remains in third place at 15-9, 7-4 in League play.

HPU was the last team to beat the Lady Flames in the Vines Center (in February of 2001), but Liberty made sure that wouldn't happen again by putting together an 18-0 run to storm to a 26-8 lead.

Liberty would lead by as much as 20 points in the first half and took a 36-20 lead into the locker room.

After High Point (15-9, 7-4 BSC) scored the first basket of the second half, Liberty went on a 14-3 run to take a 50-25 lead at the 12:54 mark in the second half on a layup by Kristina Palaimaite. High Point then answered with a 20-8 run to cut the lead to 58-45 with 5:45 to go in the game on a three-pointer by Narelle Henry.

High Point would get as close as nine points, but the Lady Flames hung on for the 77-68 victory.

The Panthers connected on 10 three-pointers, and were led by Henry's career-high 26 points. Misty Brockman and Keauna Vinson added 11 points apiece for the Panthers.

High Point returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 22, at Winthrop (4:30 pm tip).

On Friday morning, HPU head coach Tooey Loy was online to discuss the Panthers.  Click here to read more.