ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Interstat) — In a contest defined by relentless defensive pressure and squandered offensive opportunities, the Liberty Lady Flames secured a 68-56 victory over the winless Manhattan Lady Jaspers in a non-conference women’s basketball game Sunday at Alumni Hall.

Despite committing a staggering 29 turnovers, Liberty leveraged superior shooting efficiency and a dominant performance from Avery Mills to improve its season record to 5-2. Manhattan, which forced those 29 giveaways and recorded 13 steals, could not overcome its own offensive struggles, falling to 0-7 on the season.

The game’s narrative was one of stark statistical contrasts. The Lady Flames scored their 68 points on just 74 possessions, translating to an offensive rating of 92.1. The Lady Jaspers, meanwhile, managed only 56 points from 71 possessions, an offensive rating of 78.8, hampered by frigid shooting from the field. Manhattan finished the game 20 of 65, a 30.8 percent clip, while Liberty connected on 20 of 43 attempts for a 46.5 percent shooting performance.

Liberty’s victory was anchored by the standout play of Avery Mills. The Lynchburg, Virginia, native poured in 24 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists in 32 minutes of action. She was instrumental in steadying her team through waves of Manhattan’s defensive pressure. Mills was complemented by the interior presence of Emmy Stout, who recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds to go along with 4 blocked shots. Ify Nwaobi of Calgary, Canada, just missed a double-double of her own with 9 points and 11 rebounds.

Manhattan’s defensive effort was undeniable. The Lady Jaspers tallied 13 steals and converted Liberty’s 29 turnovers into 31 points. Tatianna Collins was a key figure in that effort, contributing 8 points, 7 rebounds, and active hands on defense. Brianna Davis of the Bronx, New York, added 10 points and 4 rebounds.

However, the Lady Jaspers’ inability to capitalize consistently on the numerous extra possessions proved their undoing. They shot just 5 of 18 from three-point range and 11 of 17 from the free-throw line. The teams were even with 22 points each in the paint, but Liberty’s advantage from beyond the arc, where they shot 8 of 19, and the free-throw line, where they made 20 of 27, provided the decisive margin.

The game began in fitting fashion, with turnovers and missed shots plaguing both sides. Manhattan’s Agar Farres Garcia scored the game’s first points on a layup nearly 90 seconds into the first quarter. Liberty’s offense found its rhythm through Mills and Claudia Acin from Girona, Spain, who each hit first-quarter three-pointers to help the Lady Flames establish an early lead they would not relinquish.

Throughout the contest, Manhattan would make runs, often fueled by their defensive pressure creating transition chances. But each time the Lady Jaspers threatened to close the gap, a timely basket from Mills or a defensive stop led by Stout would stem the tide. Liberty’s ball movement, evidenced by only 2 total assists for the game, was nearly nonexistent, but individual shot-making and offensive rebounding, where they held an 11-13 advantage, allowed them to maintain control.

The loss extends a difficult start to the season for Manhattan, which has now lost its seven games by an average of nearly 17 points. Their previous game was a 52-59 defeat at Navy on Saturday. Liberty, coming off a 67-60 win over Duquesne, continues a solid opening to its campaign. The Lady Flames were heavy favorites entering the game, with statistical models giving them a 95.8 percent probability to win.

Manhattan will look for its first win when it returns home to host Columbia on Wednesday. Liberty’s next contest is on the road against George Mason on Sunday, Dec. 7.