UCA cruises past Eastern Illinois with strong shooting, turnovers

CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas wanted a steady performance more than anything else, and it delivered one on Tuesday night at the Farris Center.

The home crowd saw a team that looked more sure of itself, more settled in what it wanted to run, and more connected defensively during an 81–60 victory over Eastern Illinois.

UCA followed the lead of senior guard Camren Hunter and sophomore guard Ty Robinson, two players who have quietly begun to form the rhythm this team leans on when games start to tilt.

It wasn’t flashy, but it was controlled basketball, the kind of game that coaches look back on in March if a team starts climbing.

Hunter opened the night with a three-pointer early in the first half, followed by a layup that helped UCA build an early cushion.

He has now put together back-to-back games with at least 19 total points, and there’s a growing sense around the program that he is rounding into the form expected of a senior leader.

Robinson added a free throw and fast-break finish during that opening burst, and the Bears were off and running.

The pace was steady, not frantic. The Panthers gave the ball away too often, and UCA turned those mistakes into 26 points, the type of margin that defines games between teams still searching for their identity in late November.

By halftime, the Bears held a 43–26 lead and had already shown more balance and efficiency than they had at stretches earlier in the season.

Eastern Illinois tried to push back early in the second half when Preston Turner hit a three to cut the lead to fourteen.

But UCA answered almost immediately. Robinson drilled a fast-break three and then followed with a tip-in to stretch the lead to 50–31 with more than 17 minutes left.

It was the kind of response good teams make when momentum shifts, and the Bears never let the Panthers get any closer.

Hunter finished with 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-6 from long range. His shot selection was calm and confident, and every possession seemed to settle UCA’s offense.

Robinson added 18 points and pulled down seven rebounds while hitting five of his seven free throws. Those two weren’t alone in setting the tone. Junior guard Javion Guy-King chipped in 10 points and added two steals, showing flashes of the aggressive perimeter defense the Bears want more of.

Freshman guard Luke Moore continued his steady rise with eight assists, eight points, and three steals, showcasing strong vision and poise for a first-year player.

Freshman forward Malchiah Marable controlled the glass with nine rebounds and added two blocks, giving UCA a needed presence in the lane. The Bears as a whole shot 55.6 percent from the field and 43.3 percent from the three-point line.

They finished with a 33–22 edge on the boards and forced 12 turnovers, turning most of those into transition points.

What stood out most was UCA’s patience. When Eastern Illinois changed coverages or tried to speed the game up, the Bears played within themselves.

When shots weren’t falling early for some players, others stepped into open roles. It was a sign of a team developing layers, something that matters for a group still shaping its rotation.

The Bears improved to 3–4 and earned back-to-back home wins against Division I opponents for the first time since 2019. That milestone isn’t meant to signal a season breakthrough, but it does reflect steady progress.

For a group that has needed consistency, these last two games have shown meaningful steps forward.

UCA now turns the page toward its next road test at East Tennessee State on November 29. The Bears have momentum, confidence, and a growing identity.

And for early-season basketball, that’s enough to feel encouraged about what’s next.

Key takeaways

• UCA converted 26 points off turnovers, building a margin that held for 40 minutes.
• The Bears shot 55.6 percent from the field while winning the rebounding battle 33–22.
• Camren Hunter and Ty Robinson combined for 37 points and led a balanced offensive effort.