A.C. Reid is making a habit of banking in 3-point shots with the outcome of Libertys most recent games hanging in the balance.

He banked in a 3 from the left wing as time expired to lift the Flames to a dramatic victory over Radford one week ago at the Vines Center. The junior guard needed the backboard again, this time Thursday night against Gardner-Webb at Paul Porter Arena, to force a second overtime and cap the Flames remarkable comeback win against the Runnin Bulldogs.

What has led to Reid having the confidence to make those shots? The 6-foot-5 guard has never lacked the confidence to take shots since he arrived on campus, but he has become better at shooting off the dribble and with bigger players contesting his shot.

Those two aspects have greatly assisted Reid in getting the shots up quickly and accurately, even though hed prefer his shots to swish through the net instead of banking in off the backboard.

I think its actually kind of difficult to go from that far and try to bank a shot in, Reid said. Ive been blessed these past two games to hit both of those shots.

Reids transformation has steadily taken place this season. His first two seasons were highlighted by his ability to make multiple 3-pointers in a row, but also to be easily pushed off the 3-point line and not get a shot off if he didnt get a clean look to catch and shoot.

Former Liberty basketball player Alex McLean joined the coaching staff as a graduate assistant this season and the players have credited his work with them on improving all facets on the offensive end.

He has particularly worked with Reid and fellow junior guard Ryan Kemrite during drills about two hours before each game on dribbling and shooting, catching and shooting and finishing their shots through contact.

Once that is completed, McLean and Reid begin shooting from midcourt in a challenge to see who can make the most attempts.

Alex does a great job with us and even the coaching staff does a great job with us of just getting a lot of game shots, Reid said. Coach [Ritchie] McKay said it in film the other day, If A.C.s going to be taking those deep shots, then yall need to be practicing that with him in his individual work. I think its just getting those constant reps that will give me the confidence just to take those deep shots during the game.

Reid missed his first five 3-point attempts against Radford before connecting on the banked-in attempt. He caught the inbounds pass from Georgie Pacheco-Ortiz, dribbled to his left and shot from about 24 feet over the outstretched arms of Radford 6-foot-8 center Randy Phillips.

Reid made his first two 3-pointers against Gardner-Webb, but missed five straight long-range attempts before he connected from 30 feet with 1.5 seconds remaining in the first overtime.

Reids shot came in a disjointed sequence as the Flames quickly attempted to get an open look. Pacheco-Ortiz handed the ball off to Reid, who took one dribble in and unleashed his shot from the right wing as GWU 6-foot-6 forward DJ Laster reached out his arm to contest.

I think when youre a confident shooter, youre a confident shooter and he is that, McKay said. He walks on the floor thinking hes going to make the shot. The fact that hes hit a couple of banks probably is attributed more to his nature and his fearlessness than his confidence. He thinks hes going to have a chance to make it.

McKay said Reid has earned the trust from the coaching staff through his leadership and overall IQ. That is a stark contrast to last season when McKay said he was really frustrated with him and Im not sure he liked me so much. I wasnt having any fun coaching him.

But that has changed with Reid being one of the first players off the bench and one of the five who is on the floor in the final minutes. McKay said Reid makes the offense better when hes on the court, and that comes from Reid having the green light to shoot it from any point as the shot clock is winding down.

I dont think I ever lack confidence in my shot. I feel like every shot I take is going in, Reid said. I think that just comes from the reps that Ive taken and the reps Ive completed over the last few years. Im going to continue to take shots because my coaching staff has empowered me to do so.

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The anatomy of a banked-in 3-pointer - Lynchburg News and Advance