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Liberty pulls away from Gardner-Webb 51-28

Nov 14, 2009 - 11:01 PM BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.(AP) -- Tommy Beecher threw three touchdown passes and Mike Brown rushed for two scores to help Liberty pull away from Gardner-Webb 51-28 Saturday.

Liberty (8-2, 5-0 Big South Conference) took sole possession of first place in the league following Stony Brook's 30-27 overtime loss to Charleston Southern. Liberty plays at Stony Brook next week.

David Montgomery took the opening kickoff 100 yards for a 7-0 Runnin' Bulldogs lead.

After the first half was tied on three occasions, Liberty took the lead for good at 30-28 on the third of Matt Bevins' three straight field goals with 3:26 left in the third quarter.

Liberty sealed the win with three touchdowns, including Demetrius Ward's 18-yard fumble return.

Beecher was 23-for-32 for 337 yards for the Flames, who had 510 yards of offense.

Stan Doolittle went 25-for-42 for 221 yards and one touchdown for Gardner-Webb (5-5, 2-3).