Bears begin home slate Saturday against Champion Christian Tigers

CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas (0-1) returns to the Farris Center on Saturday for their 2025-26 home opener against Champion Christian College (2-0).

Tipoff is set for 1 p.m., with live coverage on ESPN+ and live stats available online.

The matchup marks UCA’s first home appearance after opening the season Monday at No. 25 North Carolina in the Dean Smith Center.

The Bears fell to the Tar Heels but gained early experience against a nationally ranked opponent.

Junior guard Javion Guy-King paced UCA with 10 points, three rebounds, and two assists in the opener.

Sophomore guard-forward Cole McCormick added nine points and four boards, while senior guard Rashad Bolden and redshirt freshman guard Ty Robinson each contributed eight points.

UCA aims to even its record to 1-1 before continuing its nonconference slate. The Bears will rely on a balanced scoring group that showed flashes of efficiency against one of the nation’s top programs.

Champion Christian enters with two early-season victories, both on the road in Pensacola, Florida. The Tigers defeated Pensacola Christian 74-61 and followed with a 99-72 win over Trinity Baptist College.

They compete as members of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) and regularly face programs across NCAA Division I, Division II, NAIA and the Association of Christian College Athletics (ACCA).

Saturday’s game will be the first meeting between the teams since the 2023-24 season, when UCA earned a 120-54 home victory in Conway.

For the Bears, the contest offers a chance to establish rhythm and confidence before diving deeper into the early schedule.

John Shulman’s team features a mix of upperclassmen leadership and emerging underclassmen, with Guy-King, McCormick, Bolden, and Robinson already contributing across the box score.

The Farris Center will again serve as home base for the Bears’ growing roster, which continues to blend experience and youth while preparing for ASUN Conference play later this winter.

Key takeaways:

• UCA plays first home game of 2025-26 season Saturday at the Farris Center.

• Javion Guy-King led the Bears with 10 points at North Carolina.

• Champion Christian enters 2-0 after two wins in Florida.