Sugar Bears roll past Bellarmine for fifth straight win

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Central Arkansas pushed its winning streak to five games Saturday with a commanding 85-37 victory over Bellarmine in ASUN Conference play.

UCA moved to 16-10 overall and 9-5 in league action with four regular-season contests remaining.

The Sugar Bears set the tone early and never let it slip. A quick burst to open the game created separation, and by halftime the outcome was no longer in doubt.

UCA led 48-12 at the break after holding Bellarmine to just one basket in the second quarter.

Senior guard Jenna Cook delivered a career-high 21 points to lead the way. She knocked down five three-pointers while also collecting five rebounds and four assists in an efficient afternoon.

The Sugar Bears shot 53 percent from the floor in the first half and connected on 50 percent of their shots from beyond the arc before intermission.

That early accuracy fueled a 22-0 run in the second quarter that broke the game open.

Bellarmine struggled to find consistent offense against the Sugar Bears’ defensive pressure. The Knights trailed by double digits for most of the first half and couldn’t slow the pace once UCA settled into rhythm.

By the time the third quarter arrived, the Sugar Bears had already built a margin that allowed the rotation to expand.

Every player who logged more than five minutes found the scoring column, showing balance across the lineup.

Depth fuels dominance

The Sugar Bears’ depth stood out throughout the contest. The bench outscored Bellarmine’s starters 51-0, a rare statistic that highlighted UCA’s production from reserves.

All six bench players shot at least 50 percent from the field. That group combined for 14 assists and committed just three turnovers, keeping the offense steady even as substitutions increased.

Kamryn Griffin contributed six points along with two rebounds and three assists in the second half. Carla Ramirez added a milestone moment, sinking her first three-pointer as a Sugar Bear late in the game.

Even as scoring slowed somewhat after halftime, the Sugar Bears maintained control. Bellarmine more than doubled its first-half point total in the third quarter, but the deficit remained large.

Cook added another three-pointer early in the fourth quarter to push the lead past 40 points. From there, the Sugar Bears continued to execute in the half court and limit second-chance opportunities.

Defensively, the Sugar Bears limited Bellarmine to 37 total points and contested shots throughout the afternoon. Their work on the glass also created extra possessions that helped extend the margin.

ASUN standings impact

With the victory, the Sugar Bears climbed into third place in the ASUN standings. UCA has now won five straight games as the regular season moves toward its final stretch.

The Sugar Bears have shown improvement on both ends during the streak, combining efficient shooting with consistent defense. Saturday’s game was one of the team’s most complete efforts of the season.

UCA will return home to Conway for its next matchup, hosting Austin Peay on Wednesday. With only four games left, positioning in the ASUN race remains important.

The Sugar Bears’ recent stretch has provided momentum at the right time. Balanced scoring, strong perimeter shooting and bench production have all played key roles during the five-game run.

Saturday’s result in Louisville reinforced that formula. From the opening quarter through the final buzzer, the Sugar Bears controlled pace, shot efficiently and limited Bellarmine’s chances.

If that approach continues, UCA will enter the closing weeks of conference play with confidence and a firm hold near the top of the standings.