Liberty Classical Academy Lions Roar Past Groves Academy Griffins

The Twin Cities Athletic Conference Division 2 leading Liberty Classical Academy Lions had a blissful Thursday night as Nathaniel Bliss scored a game high 28 points to lead the Lions to a 83-50 win over the Groves Academy Griffins in St. Louis Park.

Liberty struck quickly as Luke Hill scored :05 after the opening tip.  Patrick Quinn open the scoring for the Griffins to tie the game at two.  Hill and Bliss would be the key components in the Lions 8-0 run before Malik Bodden hit a three pointer.  There would also be dueling three point plays as Hill would score one for Liberty and Larry Mohamed for Groves Academy.  Mohamed's three point play would be the bright spot for the Griffins in the first half as they were plagued by foul trouble as Bodden, Noah Madson and Max Bilcik had three fouls.  Bodden would pick up his fourth foul with 3:58 left in the half as Bliss was hitting shots from inside as well as from Lake St.He would also score another three point play.    William Reid would go to the line for three shots as he was fouled by Quinn while attempting a three pointer.  He made two of three free throws.  Liberty led 45-26 at halftime.

the Lions would widen their lead to start the second half as they opened on a 6-0 run.  They would distance themselves further from the Griffins by scoring 11 straight points.  Bilcik would score to end the run.  But it was Bliss who would handle most of the scoring load in the second half as he would hit another three point play.  With the game in running time due to the large second half margin, both head coaches, Joe Steiner of Liberty and Peter Shutte of Groves Academy cleared their benches and gave the reserves an opportunity to get some playing time.

Other players in double figures for the Lions were Hill with 21 points, Noah Nelson with 12 and Reid added 11.  Bodden was the only Griffins in double figures, scoring a team high 21 points.

Liberty improves their record to 16-6 and ends their regular season on Friday, February 17 as they host the Nova Classical Academy Knights at 7:30.  Groves Academy falls to 1-18 and will play at Nova Classical Academy on Tuesday, February 14 at 6 PM.