Basketball
Bears Surge in Second Half to Top Lions in ASUN Game
Central Arkansas rallied after halftime, turning momentum with defense and clutch scoring to defeat North Alabama 72-65 in ASUN play.
FLORENCE, Ala. — Central Arkansas rallied in the second half and handed North Alabama a 72-65 loss on Monday night in a key ASUN men’s basketball matchup at CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall.
UCA trailed by eight at halftime, but flipped the script in the second half by outscoring the Lions 43-28. The Bears turned the tide with strong defensive pressure, forcing 19 North Alabama turnovers and turning them into 25 points.
From the opening tip, North Alabama seized momentum, building a halftime lead behind early inside scoring. A tip-in by Donte Bacchus at 19:40 set the tone for the Lions, who finished the first half with 24 points in the paint.
The Bears struggled to find consistency before the break, but stayed within striking distance thanks to plays from Luke Moore, which included a fast-break layup that tied the game 2-2 early, and a three-pointer by Truman Byrne. Ty Robinson’s scoring kept UCA close entering intermission.
Once UCA came out for the second half, the energy shifted. Javion Guy-King got the scoring started with a 3-pointer at 19:47, assisted by Robinson.
From that point, the Bears steadily chipped away at the lead and used timely steals and rebounds to fuel the comeback.
The Bears took their first lead of the night with just over six minutes remaining, capped by a crucial sequence that swung momentum firmly in UCA’s favor.
Hunter Leads Scoring Charge
Senior guard Camren Hunter played a major role down the stretch for the Bears. He finished with a game-high 28 points, connecting on 8 of 12 field goal attempts and hitting all nine of his free throw attempts in the second half surge.
Reserve guard Cole McCormick also provided a lift for UCA, scoring 10 points and hitting all six of his free throws, while adding two steals that helped fuel the defensive effort.
Freshman forward Malchiah Marable chipped in six points, grabbed six rebounds, and recorded two steals, adding depth to the Bears’ lineup during the comeback.
The win marked the Bears’ eighth straight victory, including four in a row on the road. The streak has kept UCA in a strong position in ASUN play as the conference schedule tightens.
With the victory, UCA improves to 15-10 overall and 10-2 in ASUN games, while North Alabama falls to 7-16 and 2-10 in league play.
Next Up for UCA
UCA returns home to face Bellarmine on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at the Farris Center. The Bears will look to keep the winning streak alive in front of their home fans in Conway.
