Sugar Bears open home slate against Lyon at Farris Center

CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas begins its home schedule Friday, welcoming Division III Lyon College to the Farris Center for a 6:30 p.m. tip.

The Sugar Bears enter at 0-1 after a competitive 78-71 road loss to Missouri to open the season.

Graduate guard Shae Littleford led the opener with 17 points, one of four UCA players in double figures. Cheyanne Kemp scored 12, Bree Stephens added 11 and freshman Jenna Cook provided 10 off the bench.

New faces were part of the rotation right away. Littleford, Paris Santacaterina and Julianna Gibson recorded their first starts for the Sugar Bears. Layla Reese, Emerie Bohanon, Linda Amaning and Alexis Cox debuted from the bench.

UCA has protected its home floor under head coach Tony Kemper. The Sugar Bears are 28-3 at the Farris Center over the past two seasons since his return.

Of those three home setbacks, one came against ASUN champion Florida Gulf Coast, and two were national postseason games in the WNIT.

The two-year stretch marks the program’s best back-to-back home win total (28) since 2016–18, when UCA went 28-4 at the Farris Center.

Friday’s game will stream on ESPN+, with live stats online. Fans can also listen on 91.3 The Bear, where Steve Owens has the call.

What to know for the matchup

Lyon will treat the contest as an exhibition. The Scots’ first counting game is scheduled for Sunday against Hendrix.

The visitors bring a rebuilt roster. Six players return, and 16 newcomers join the program for the new season.

Among the returners, Lyon’s top two scorers are back: guard Natalya Kaza (20.6 points per game last season) and forward Savanna Lopez (13.5 points per game).

Kaza logged five 30-point games a season ago, including a season-high 37 against MUW.

Lopez led Lyon in rebounding (9.1 per game) and had 87 blocks last season. She posted 10 double-doubles and recorded a triple-double against Blackburn with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocks.

For UCA, the focus turns to translating the road scoring balance to the home opener. Four double-figure scorers at Missouri suggest early depth on the perimeter and in the post.

Littleford’s graduate experience and opening-night production offer a lead guard presence as lineups settle in for November.

Kemp and Stephens add returning punch, while Cook’s 10 points off the bench gives the staff an early look at a freshman who can supply minutes in scoring roles.

Inside the Farris Center

The Farris Center has been a favorable setting, and the program’s recent 28-3 home mark underscores how UCA has handled nonconference and league visitors alike.

That stat line includes postseason appearances and an ASUN title opponent — context that frames how the home environment has held up against a variety of challenges.

Friday gives the Sugar Bears a chance to introduce several new contributors in front of a home crowd while keeping familiar defensive and rebounding habits that have traveled well.

The streaming and radio options remain in place for fans unable to attend. ESPN+ carries the video stream; live stats will be available; and 91.3 The Bear offers the broadcast call.

Kaza’s scoring bursts and Lopez’s shot-blocking profile present clear scouting notes for UCA. Limiting second-chance points and managing foul trouble around the rim are typical early-season benchmarks.

For the hosts, balancing touches for Littleford, Kemp and Stephens — and sustaining a bench spark from Cook and the first-year guards — should help build rhythm in front of the home crowd.

Tip is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Farris Center in Conway.

Key Takeaways

• UCA makes its home debut Friday against Lyon at the Farris Center with ESPN+ streaming and radio on 91.3 The Bear.

• The Sugar Bears are 28-3 at home over the past two seasons under head coach Tony Kemper.

• Lyon returns top scorers Natalya Kaza and Savanna Lopez, with Lopez also leading in rebounds and blocks last season.