Sugar Bears
Razorbacks too strong for Sugar Bears in final non-ASUN game of year
UCA starts strong, but Higginbottom, Hogs pull away in second half but now it’s conference play the rest of way
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Despite being competitive early, Central Arkansas couldn’t hold on against Arkansas, falling 87-70 in Fayetteville.
“There were times in this game where we were good enough, and there were times where we weren’t. Consistency has to get better, but I think a little bit of adversity right now could be good for us,” UCA coach Tony Kemper said later. “I thought Jenna (Cook) played as hard as anyone did out there. She’s a freshman, but she’s a leader out there, and she’s hungry.”
UCA Sugar Bears coach Tony Kemper on the sidelines against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark. / Nilsen Roman-AllBears+ Images
The Sugar Bears came out swinging, going shot for shot with the SEC Razorbacks throughout the first half. Bree Stephens, in particular, came out aggressive, scoring eight points in the opening frame.
The three-ball was major for Central Arkansas, who hit seven of 12 through the first ten minutes of action, with five Sugar Bears connecting early. But Arkansas’ Izzy Higginbottom kept the home team around, scoring 12 of her own in the first to lead the Razorbacks.
The Sugar Bears took a brief lead in the second quarter, on a Jade Upshaw and-one to start the second quarter, but then the home team got going. With the Sugar Bears leading 26-24, Arkansas built the lead to double-digits, and went into the locker room up 11. After 20 minutes of game-time, Stephens, Fisher and Leah Mafua had eight points to lead the Sugar Bears.
Arkansas jumped out of the halftime break, opening the lead up in the third as the Sugar Bear offense struggled to keep up. Needing a spark, freshman Jenna Cook came in midway through the quarter and helped right the ship with her energy and hustle.
The Cabot native helped slow the home team’s momentum with six points and a bunch of hustle plays and deflections. The fight continued into the fourth, but it was too little, too late. UCA claimed the fourth quarter 19-18 behind a balanced scoring effort across the roster, and the Sugar Bears turned in four double-digit scorers.
In all, every Sugar Bear scored against the Razorbacks, led by Upshaw’s 15. Seven players hit three-pointers, and UCA hit 13 threes for the first time since hitting a program-record 19 against CBC.
The Sugar Bears turn a new leaf on Thursday, opening ASUN play against Jacksonville in the Farris Center. Tip-off against the Dolphins is set for 5 p.m.
