Sugar Bears’ fast start fades in 57–48 loss to Little Rock

Central Arkansas’ five-game winning streak came to an end Saturday night with a 57–48 loss to Little Rock.

The Sugar Bears opened with energy, controlled the glass, and dictated pace early, but the offense cooled as the game wore on and the Trojans slowly seized control.

The defeat drops UCA to 6–3 with three non-conference games left before league play.

The Bears looked sharp from the start. They attacked inside, moved the ball well, and built an 18–5 lead behind 57 percent shooting in the opening quarter.

Their defense was equally strong, forcing the Trojans into just 14 percent shooting and disrupting early possessions.

Bench production fueled the start. Linda Amaning and freshman guard Jenna Cook combined for 12 first-quarter points, hitting five of six attempts and giving UCA a jolt of confidence.

The Sugar Bears’ start resembled the same rhythm that carried them through their winning streak.

They defended without fouling, rebounded at a high level and minimized early mistakes.

But as the second quarter began, the momentum shifted. The Trojans settled in at home and began capitalizing on free-throw opportunities.

UCA kept connecting from long range in the second quarter, but missed chances at the rim prevented the lead from growing.

The Bears matched Little Rock shot for shot in the period, yet five extra free-throw attempts helped the Trojans trim the gap.

By halftime, the once-comfortable lead stood at eight points.

UCA coach Tony Kemper noted the difference in flow.

He said his team “did not execute the way we needed to after the first quarter” and pointed to ball security and late-clock decisions as areas that slipped after the strong opening frame.

Bears lose rhythm as shooting issues mount

Little Rock’s push continued in the third quarter. The Trojans chipped away possession by possession while UCA struggled to convert second-chance opportunities.

Although the Bears held a 41–32 rebounding advantage for the night, the extra boards did not translate to meaningful scoring runs.

Shots that fell early stopped falling altogether. UCA closed the night at 31.7 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from three-point range. Inside the arc, contested looks and rushed finishes limited offensive flow.

Even with the shooting woes, UCA clung to a five-point lead entering the fourth quarter. But Little Rock took its first lead early in the final period and never relinquished it.

The Bears stayed within a possession for much of the quarter before the Trojans stretched the margin in the closing minutes.

Amaning led UCA with 10 points, while Cook added steady minutes off the bench. Bree Stephens dominated the boards with 13 rebounds, providing consistent interior presence.

But turnovers proved costly: UCA committed 16, compared to just 11 for Little Rock.

Kemper emphasized that the team “competed hard but struggled to finish plays” and added that the group must “learn to close out games stronger” as non-conference matchups wind down.

The loss came despite UCA controlling several statistical areas. Rebounding was not the issue, nor was defensive effort in long stretches.

Instead, inefficient shooting and a wavering offensive identity in the second half put the Bears in difficult positions.

UCA also faced a more aggressive Little Rock defense after halftime. The Trojans pressured ball handlers, cut off passing lanes, and challenged perimeter shots.

The Bears attempted to counter with drives to the basket, but conversion rates remained inconsistent.

UCA looks ahead to regrouping on road

The Bears return to action next Saturday with a road trip to face Grambling State.

With conference play approaching, UCA sees this next stretch as an opportunity to address late-game execution, value each possession and regain offensive rhythm.

Kemper expressed confidence in his team’s resilience, saying the Bears “have shown growth each week” and that setbacks like this provide teaching moments.

He highlighted improved decision-making and balanced scoring as priorities heading into the next stretch.

While the outcome ended a strong run, the Bears’ foundation remains intact.

Their defensive commitment, rebounding presence and early-game cohesion still offer promise. The next step is sustaining that level for four full quarters.

The schedule now tightens, and UCA shifts focus toward consistency in both shot selection and ball movement.

The Bears have shown they can control games early; now they seek to finish them with the same control.

Key takeaways

• UCA opened with an 18–5 lead and shot 57 percent in the first quarter, but scoring slowed as the game progressed.

• The Bears outrebounded Little Rock 41–32, yet shot just 31.7 percent overall and committed 16 turnovers.

• Linda Amaning scored 10 while Bree Stephens grabbed 13 rebounds, but Little Rock controlled the fourth quarter to win 57–48.