Basketball
UCA defeats FGCU to reach first ASUN title game in program history
Strong inside scoring and steady defense help Bears defeat Florida Gulf Coast and move into ASUN Championship game in Jacksonville.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Central Aransas moved one step closer to a conference title Saturday night with a strong second half in the ASUN Championship semifinals.
UCA defeated Florida Gulf Coast 73-63 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena to advance to the tournament title game for the first time in the program’s Division I history.
The Bears did it doing well on what coach John Shulman wants in these really big games.
“No layups, no free throws and no second shots,” he told AllBears+ after the game while watching the Austin-Peay and Queens semifinal. “We did that for the most part.”
UCA will play the winner of the game he was watching at 2 p.m. Sunday for the title. He didn’t want the players looking at it.
One game closer @UCAMBB x #ASUNMBB pic.twitter.com/RsZfbZYqyq
— Atlantic Sun Conference (@ASUNSports) March 8, 2026
“They are at the hotel resting and getting something to eat,” Shulman said. “This is a three-game marathon and they’ll need that tomorrow more than they need a scouting report.”
The Bears tied with Austin-Peay for the regular-season title and Queens was the No. 3 seed in the tournament that is playing out according to the seeding.
“We’ve got a bunch of competitive guys,” Shulman said. “They want more. They know these are do-or-die. This ain’t the regular season any more.”
The victory pushed UCA’s to 22-11 overall and sent the Bears into Sunday’s championship game with a chance to claim the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
That would be a first for the program. Florida Gulf Coast finished the night with a 16-18 record after the semifinal loss.
UCA used steady scoring and physical play near the basket. The Bears collected 36 points in the paint, a key factor that helped create distance on the scoreboard and limit the Eagles’ chances of a comeback late in the game.
The Bears started the game with confidence. Camren Hunter opened the scoring with a three-pointer off a pass from Malchiah Marable, giving UCA an early lead and setting the tone for the night.
Florida Gulf Coast answered with several baskets of its own. J.R. Konieczny knocked down a three-pointer for the Eagles as the teams traded shots in the early minutes. The score stayed tight through much of the first half as both teams looked for momentum.
UCA continued to respond each time FGCU closed the gap. Contributions from Ty Robinson and Harrison Beauchamp helped the Bears keep a slight edge during the opening period. By halftime, the team held a narrow 35-32 lead.
The Bears came out of the break with renewed energy. The team stayed aggressive inside and continued to attack the rim while also making timely shots from the perimeter.
Robinson delivered several key moments during the second half. He scored on a layup with 11:44 remaining and later hit a three-pointer that extended the lead and energized the UCA bench.
Second-half push sends Bears to title game
The Bears maintained control during the final stretch of the game. UCA’s defense forced difficult shots while the offense continued to find openings near the basket.
Florida Gulf Coast attempted to rally late in the contest. Rahmir Barno led the effort for the Eagles and scored a layup in the closing seconds, but the Bears had already created enough distance to secure the win.
As the clock wound down, UCA closed out the 73-63 victory and celebrated a milestone moment for the program. The win sent the Bears into the ASUN Championship game, marking the first time the team has reached the conference final since joining Division I.
The result also continued an impressive season for the program. UCA finished the regular season with a 15-3 conference record and has carried that momentum into the postseason tournament in Jacksonville.
The Bears entered the event after an earlier quarterfinal victory over Bellarmine, which set up Saturday’s semifinal matchup with Florida Gulf Coast.
Now the team will prepare for the final challenge of the tournament. The Bears are scheduled to play in the ASUN Championship game Sunday at 1 p.m., with the winner earning the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
For UCA, the victory represented another step in a season filled with progress.
If the team can do it one more time, they will have a conference title and a spot in March Madness, both of them firsts for the the Bears.
