LYNCHBURG, Va. - Larry Blair scored 23 points and top-seeded Liberty cruised into the Big South tournament men's championship game with an 88-73 victory against fourth-seeded Coastal Carolina on Thursday night at the Vines Center.<br>
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The Flames (16-14) will host High Point in the title game Saturday, with the winner earning an automatic NCAA tournament berth. High Point beat N.C.-Asheville 63-49.<br>
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The Chanticleers (14-15) closed to within 71-68 on a 3-pointer by Kelvin Coggins with 2:44 to play, but faded after Brandon Newby left with an injury. Newby was 13-for-15 from the field with two 3-pointers and had 28 points in 30 minutes before leaving the game.<br>
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Gabe Martin added 16 points and Louvon Sneed and Ryan Mantlo 10 each for Liberty.<br>
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Moses Sonko and Colin Stevens scored 11 each for the Chanticleers, who were outrebounded 44-27 and outscored 22-11 from the free-throw line.<br>
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(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
