LYNCHBURG, Va. – Bridgette Rettstatt scored 22 points for host Liberty, which shot 58 percent in the second half to pull away for a 76-53 win over Norfolk State on Tuesday night in the first-ever game at Liberty Arena.

The Flames (1-2) outscored NSU 25-8 in the decisive third quarter, hitting two-thirds of their field goals (8-of-12) in the period to put distance between themselves and the Spartans (1-2).

Guard Jalynn Holmes led NSU in scoring for the third straight game, pouring in 15 points. Forward Mangela Ngandjui, playing in her first game as a Spartan, added 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds off the bench.

Liberty scored the game's first seven points and never trailed. Holmes, however, hit a pair of 3-pointers and Shekinah Howard made one as the Spartans closed to within 18-14 after one quarter.

But the Flames controlled the middle two quarters. The Flames opened the second quarter with a 10-1 spurt, with six of those points coming on second-chance opportunities. Liberty scored 10 points off 16 first-half offensive rebounds.

Holmes split a pair of free throws to start the third quarter to cut NSU's deficit to 35-23. But the Flames answered with a 14-0 run, eight on three field goals by Ashtyn Baker, to widen the gap.

The Spartans showed fight in the fourth quarter, outscoring Liberty 23-16. Jaiden Morris had seven points and Ngandjui six in the period. NSU grabbed 14 offensive rebounds and shot 11-of-16 from the free-throw line in the stanza.

Morris tallied nine points and three assists, and Armani Franklin recorded three steals for the Spartans. NSU, however, was held to a season-low 24.6 percent shooting night from the floor.

Mya Berkman chipped in 12 points and Baker 11 for the Flames, who outrebounded NSU 48-42.

The Spartans continue their string of three straight road contests with a 1 p.m. matchup at Robert Morris on Saturday.