Bears
Bears ‘blinked’ for first time this year in loss to Stetson
DELAND, Fla. — Central Arkansas cut a 22-point first-half deficit down to five points late Thursday but still dropped a 75-65 ASUN decision to the Stetson Hatters at the Edmunds Center.
The Hatters used a hot shooting hand to run out to a 43-21 halftime lead. Stetson shot 53.3 percent from the field and made nine three-pointers in the opening 20 minutes. UCA made just 3 of 16 from beyond the arc and shot 25.0 percent overall and had its second-lowest scoring first half of the season.
Six different Hatters made a three-pointer in the first half, with Jordan Wood connecting three times. Mehki Ellison, Stetson’s leading scorer on the season, had 12 points at the half. Senior Elias Cato led the Bears with seven.
“I think the first half was the first time this year that we blinked,” said UCA head coach John Shulman. ” It was the first time this year that the offense didn’t go our way. We missed shot after shot. We got 23 more shots than they did, and we had 23 offensive rebounds. The stats don’t even equal up.
“We played our guts out, and there are no moral victories. Don’t show me great effort at the end. Show me great effort at the beginning so we’re not in a hole like that to start with. I will say this, I’m proud of our kids’ effort. But you have to start the game better than that.”
The Bears rebounded with 50-percent shooting in the second half and slowly whittled away at the deficit. Down 18 with five minutes to play. UCA put together an impressive 14-0 scoring run to close it to 70-65 on a rebound basket by Michael Evbagharu with 1:35 left. But the Bears did not score again and dropped to 1-2 in ASUN play.
UCA freshman guard Layne Taylor, the reigning ASUN Newcomer of the Week, was held to 11 points. He has now scored in double figures in 15 straight games, _ including 27 and 29 in his last two _ since a five-point effort in the season opener at BYU.
Freshman Cole McCormick had his third game of the season in double figures with 14 points. Senior Elias Cato had 13 points and 7 rebounds, while Evbagharu has first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, 6 of those on the offensive end.
UCA was just 6 of 7 at the free-throw line while Stetson was 12 of 16, including 10 of 14 in the second half, and 23.1 percent from three-point range (9 of 39).
“We got the ball, we’re down 18 with 6:00 to play,” said Shulman. “And the ball is in the air to cut it to three with a minute to go. So we do have fight, and I can’t blame our guys for not trying and putting out great effort. But I’m just disappointed that ball doesn’t go in for us sometimes.
“We just have to keep on battling. It’s a test and we’ll always pass the test because we’re always going to go back to work.”
UCA continues its road trip at Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday in Fort Myers, Fla. Tip-off is 1 p.m. from Alico Arena.
Bears
Shulman brings a little Australia flavor to UCA’s lineup for inside game
Three-time gold medal captain of the U16-U18 Victorian national championship teams is second Australian to join Shulman’s lineup
CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas has added a second Australian student-athlete to the roster in guard Harrison Beauchamp, according to UCA coach John Shulman.
Beauchamp is a 6-foot-6 freshman guard from Victoria, Australia who most recently played at Marcelin College.
He is a current NBL1 player, was captain of the Australian U17 national team, was the 2024 FIBA World Cup group state Most Valuable Player (where he averaged 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals) and was captain of the Australian National Team that won gold in Qatar in 2023.
Beauchamp is a three-time gold medal captain of the U16-U18 Victorian national championship teams and was the Victoria Junior Basketballer of the Year in 2022 and 2024.
“Harry is a guy that we had heard a lot about this spring,” said Shulman. “He has had a ton of success during his prep years, both in high school and with his national team. Once we got to lay eyes on him it was apparent that his skill set fit the things that we value.
“His ability to shoot the basketball, combined with his high IQ quickly stuck out to us. After speaking with his coaches and hearing about his competitive edge and love for the game we knew we wanted Harry in our program. We are really excited about what he brings to the table for the Bears.”
Information from UCA Sports is included in this story.
Bears
UCA strengthens program with three key coaching staff additions
UCA basketball bolsters coaching ranks with experienced additions from top programs, focusing on player development and strength training
Central Arkansas basketball coach John Shulman has made some changes to his coaching staff with three additions.
Will Braden joins the Bears as an assistant coach after serving as director of player development at Fordham University, where he spent five impactful years in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Braden’s appointment brings valuable expertise in player development, having worked closely with NBA skills coach Drew Hanlen, whose client list includes NBA stars Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, and Tyrese Haliburton.
“Will’s experience in the Atlantic 10 and his background in player development make him an invaluable addition to our program,” said Shulman. “His work with Drew Hanlen has given him insights into elite-level skill development that will benefit our players immensely.”
The Bears are also welcoming Jake Frankiewicz as their new graduate assistant.
Frankiewicz brings a winning pedigree from his time at the University of Toledo, where he served as a student manager for a program that captured three consecutive Mid-American Conference championships.
His behind-the-scenes expertise in program operations and high-energy approach align perfectly with UCA’s culture of excellence.
Perhaps the most intriguing addition is Ivan Hadzic, who takes over as strength and conditioning coach for both men’s and women’s basketball programs.
A native of Sabac, Serbia, Hadzic’s journey through American basketball includes playing experience at Canisius University and Carson-Newman, followed by two seasons as a graduate assistant coach in strength and conditioning at Jacksonville University.
The timing of these staff additions is crucial for UCA, as the program aims to improve upon its 9-24 record from the 2024-25 season.
Shulman, who brings over two decades of coaching experience to Conway, has been methodically building his staff since taking the helm of the program.
His previous success includes multiple NCAA tournament appearances while at Chattanooga and an impressive track record of developing talent.
Hadzic’s expertise is particularly noteworthy, as he holds certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCCA), and USA Weightlifting (USAW).
His comprehensive approach to strength training, combined with his understanding of basketball from a player’s perspective, offers a unique advantage to UCA’s athlete development program.
“These additions represent a significant step forward for our program,” Shulman said. “Each brings a specific skill set that addresses our needs and aligns with our vision for UCA basketball. Will’s player development background, Jake’s operational expertise, and Ivan’s strength and conditioning knowledge create a perfect combination for our staff.”
The Bears play in the ASUN, which has seen increasingly competitive play in recent years. The conference’s level of play has risen significantly, with multiple teams making deep runs in postseason tournaments.
Bears
Australian standout Truman Byrne ‘big’ addition for Shulman’s roster
Size, experience with AUSA Basketball adds size, skill, and championship experience to Shulman’s second roster at UCA
CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas has made a big addition to their men’s basketball roster for the 2025-26 season, but they had to go down under to do it.
Bears coach John Shulman signing 6-foot-10 Australian forward Truman Byrne over the weekend, adding some much-needed size to the roster.
Hailing from Melbourne and a product of Berwick College, Byrne brings a rare combination of size, skill, and championship experience.
Byrne’s basketball résumé is impressive.
As a three-time high school national champion representing the state of Victoria, he averaged 16.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.5 assists during his senior year.
His versatility extends beyond the basketball court. He’s also a two-time medalist in golf and was selected for Australia’s NBL league at just 17.
“We have been very meticulous with this last forward spot and I am excited to say that after sifting through hundreds of prospects that Truman Byrne is exactly what we were looking for,” Shulman said
“Within the first 10 minutes of meeting Truman I knew he fit us perfectly when it came to his personality and character. It just so happens that he is a 6-10 solid-framed kid with a great deal of skill.”
Shulman highlighted Byrne’s shooting and passing abilities as key assets for the Bears’ offensive system.
“It’s a perfect fit for us in what we are going to do offensively,” Shulman said. “While Truman has all of the abilities that we are looking for, it is also very refreshing to know that he has really been coached.
“Coming out of the AUSA program we know that he has been taught how to play the game of basketball with high IQ and a competitive edge.”
Byrne’s recruitment reflects a growing trend of NCAA programs looking internationally for talent, especially from Australia, which has produced NBA and college standouts such as Ben Simmons and Josh Giddey.
The Australian basketball development system is known for its emphasis on fundamentals and team play, traits that Shulman and his staff value highly.
-
Bears8 months agoUCA’s John Shulman, Players Previewing BYU
-
Football1 month agoWalker’s breakout at Bucs’ rookie mini-camp sparks Barrett comparisons
-
Football2 years agoPHOTOS: UCA’s spirit squads at SFA game Saturday
-
Football2 years agoBears’ Will McElvain picks up league honor
-
Football7 months agoPORTAL TRACKER: Latest news of UCA players leaving, coming in portal
-
Football2 years agoBears still have to come back late, but down SFA
-
Bears1 year agoNO PROBLEM: UCA cruises to easy win in final tuneup
-
Football7 months agoNathan Brown Show live from Walk-On’s on Bears staying positive