Evan Gordon scored 26 points, including a key steal and layup in the final minute, as Liberty defeated Winthrop 75-72 in a Big South Conference game Saturday night.
After Gordon assisted on David Minaya's jumper that gave the Flames (6-4, 2-0) a 71-70 lead with 44 seconds remaining, he stole the ball and scored 17 seconds later.
Two free throws by Reggie Middleton with 6 seconds left brought the Eagles (4-4, 1-1) within a point, 73-72, before Gordon secured Liberty's victory with two free throws.
Andre Jones scored 23 points to lead Winthrop, including a jumper with 4:55 remaining that gave the Eagles a 64-63 lead.
After a layup and free throw by Jesse Sanders and a 3-pointer by Gordon put Liberty back in front, Winthrop got a free throw and a layup from Robbie Dreher and a 3-pointer from Middleton for a 70-69 lead.
Dreher scored 21 points for Winthrop.
