Cuffee efficient in start to senior season at Liberty By
December 19, 2020 - 1:58 pm
Elijah Cuffee has been reliable on both ends of the court in his senior season at Liberty. Photo courtesy of Liberty Athletics
It’s no surprise that Elijah Cuffee’s senior season at Liberty University has started similar to how much of his Flames’ career has played out steady, consistent and reliable.
Cuffee, a 6-foot-4 native of Poca and former standout for the Dots, is one of two seniors in Liberty’s regular rotation. He is currently second on the Flames in scoring at 10.4 points to go with 52 percent field goal shooting and 3.1 rebounds. Efficiency is a big reason for the strong start to Cuffee’s senior campaign, as he’s made half of his 44 3-point attempts.
First Half
Liberty couldn t have asked for a better start on offense, shooting 70 percent in the first eight minutes of the game, jumping out to a 20-2 lead. Liberty went on a 16-0 run midway through the half, which included 10 assists. Liberty s defense made it difficult for Columbia International all throughout the first half, as the Rams managed to make just four field goals (4-of-22) in the first 20 minutes. Liberty went into the break with a 47-9 lead.
Second Half
The Flames remained steady on offense in the second half, scoring 26 points in the latter half, while remaining exceptional on defense. The Flames forced CIU to shoot 32 percent (8-of-25) in the second half and just one made three-pointer.
Liberty (4-2) vs. Missouri (3-0)
Columbia, Missouri – Mizzou Arena (Capacity 15,061)
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 8:00 p.m. ET
SEC Network
Series History: Missouri leads 1-0
Projected LU Starters:
2 Darius McGhee (Jr., 5-9, 150) – 16.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.2 apg
10 Elijah Cuffee (Sr., 6-4, 200) – 10.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.2 apg
22 Kyle Rode (So., 6-7, 220) – 6.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.0 apg
24 Micaiah Abii (Fr., 6-7, 250) – 8.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.3 apg
Projected Missouri Starters:
12 Dru Smith (R-Sr., 6-3, 203) – 13.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.7 apg
13 Mark Smith (Sr., 6-5, 220) – 17.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.0 apg
24 Kobe Brown (So., 6-7, 240) – 8.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 0.0 apg
23 Jeremiah Tilmon (Sr., 6-10, 260) – 8.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.3 apg
QUICK FACTS
The Flames are 4-1 in its last five games against SEC opponents.
Liberty has moved up to No. 8 in the latest CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 poll.