Bears come up short in two overtimes against Eastern Kentucky

CONWAY, Ark. — A valiant effort by banged-up Central Arkansas came up just short in double overtime Thursday night as they fell 89-83 to the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in the Atlantic Sun Conference opener at the Farris Center.

The Colonels (7-7, 1-0) outscored the injury-riddled Bears 10-4 in the second extra period, including hitting 5 of 6 at the free throw line in the final 1:50 to seal it. UCA played without five players to open the game, and without its lone senior Elias Cato for the final four minutes of regulation and both overtimes after he fouled out.

EKU won last year’s matchup with the Bears in Conway by a score of 86-63, but had to work considerably harder for Thursday’s win.

“I didn’t know if Glory (Etim) was going to be out, I didn’t know if Layne (Taylor) was even going to play,” said UCA head coach John Shulman. “To be honest, I didn’t know if we could compete with Eastern Kentucky with what we were missing. But we came out with great energy, we guarded. They had five points at the 10-minute mark We really did a nice job defending.

“I think we gained some respect tonight. And now, can we do it again another night. Now can we start getting over the hump.”

UCA Bears guard Layne Taylor drives against Eastern Kentucky at the Farris Center in Conway, Ark. / Ted McClenning-AllBears+ Images

UCA freshman Layne Taylor, playing with an injured shoulder, scored 25 of his team- and career-high 27 points in the second half, including a stretch of 14 straight at the end of regulation and early in the first overtime. He also added 10 assists for his first career double-double.

Taylor was one of four Bears in double figures, including a career-high 13 points from sophomore D.J. Seixas, 13 from Cato and 11 from sophomore Michael Evbagharu, who also added 8 rebounds. Freshman Cole McCormick, just back in the lineup from an injury, had 8 points and a career-high 9 rebounds.

Taylor scored UCA’s final 11 points of regulation, including a basket with 23.6 seconds left, to force overtime, UCA’s third overtime (second double overtime) game in six home contests. UCA had trailed by as much as 10 points with 5:24 left. All-ASUN guard Devontae Blanton gave the Colonels a 79-77 lead with just 14.6 seconds left in the first extra period, but Fox stepped up and nailed a pair of free throws with just 1.7 remaining to tie it and extend the game.

UCA Bears forward Elias Cato battles for a loose ball against Eastern Kentucky at the Farris Center in Conway, Ark. / Ted McClenning-AllBears+ Images

In the second OT, a Blanton jumper and a three-pointer from Jackson Holt gave the Colonels a five-point cushion in the opening minute but an alley oop from Taylor to Evbagharu and a driving basket by Taylor closed it back to 84-83 at the 2:50 mark. But from there, EKU went 5 of 6 at the foul line to get the victory.

“This is our first year,” said Shulman. “This is not the be all, end all. We have to establish a culture, we have to establish a different standard. We have to establish our program. And I would say Eastern Kentucky probably feels pretty good leaving here with a win tonight.”

UCA had four players who played at least 36 minutes, including 40:45 by Taylor and 40:38 by Evbagharu. Seixas played 36:37, easily a season high, and Fox did the same at 35:55.

UCA Bears forward Michael Evbagharu drives against Eastern Kentucky at the Farris Center in Conway, Ark. / Ted McClenning-AllBears+ Images

“I’m awfully proud,” said Shulman. “How are you supposed to be disappointed with the kids when they put that kind of effort into it? I applaud them, I respect them, I appreciate their effort. Now we just have to correct all those little plays and maybe we don’t even go into overtime.

“And that’s what it’s about. We correct them tomorrow and then we get ready for Saturday.”

UCA continues its homestand with a 1 p.m. Saturday matchup with the Bellarmine Knights at the Farris Center.

Information from UCA Sports is included in this story.