Basketball
Littleford’s 25 points lift Sugar Bears to road win at UNF
Shae Littleford scored 25 points as UCA used balanced scoring and free throws to earn a 79-72 road win.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Central Arkansas didn’t bring anything fancy to North Florida, just enough shot-making and free-throw calm to leave with a 79-72 win.
Shae Littleford did most of the heavy lifting, scoring 25 points to pace the Bears in a game that rewarded patience more than polish.
The junior guard hit four 3-pointers, matching her season high from deep, and delivered answers whenever the game threatened to tilt.
Road games have a way of stripping basketball down to basics. Make shots. Value possessions. Hit free throws. UCA followed that script without fuss, even when the Ospreys tried to speed things up early.
North Florida opened with a burst, as Dezuray McGill accounted for the home team’s first 13 points. That quick start forced the Sugar Bears into response mode and tested their defensive discipline.
UCA didn’t blink. The offense settled, the ball moved, and perimeter shots began to fall. A timely run flipped momentum, and by halftime the Bears had turned an early deficit into control.
Littleford sat at the center of nearly every important stretch. She scored at all three levels and spaced the floor enough to keep North Florida from loading up defensively. When help came, teammates were ready.
Cheyanne Kemp and Jenna Cook each added 16 points, giving the Sugar Bears the balance they needed to keep the offense flowing. Both guards connected from long range, ensuring Littleford wasn’t carrying the scoring load alone.
UCA’s efficiency showed most clearly at the line. The Bears went 17 of 19 on free throws, a quiet statistic that became loud once the game tightened late.
North Florida made its push after the break, trimming the margin and forcing UCA to respond. Each time, the answer came either from the perimeter or at the stripe.
Littleford’s fourth 3-pointer arrived during one of those moments, stretching the lead just enough to stall the Ospreys’ momentum. It wasn’t flashy, but it was timely.
By the final minutes, the Sugar Bears knew the formula. Protect the ball, welcome contact, and cash in free throws. They did exactly that, closing without drama.
Free throws, balance steady Sugar Bears late
The closing numbers explained the outcome. UCA didn’t overwhelm North Florida with pace or power, but it executed with discipline when the game demanded it most.
Balanced scoring mattered. With three players reaching at least 16 points, the Sugar Bears never leaned too heavily on one option, even with Littleford leading the way.
The road win sends UCA back to Conway with momentum intact as conference play rolls on.
The Sugar Bears return home to face West Georgia on Wednesday, carrying confidence built on fundamentals and finish.
