UCA finishes Thanksgiving trip unbeaten with win over Georgia State

ATLANTA — Central Arkansas wrapped up a strong week in Atlanta with a 70–51 win over Georgia State to complete a perfect 3–0 run in the Georgia State Thanksgiving Tournament.

UCA improved to 5–2 and showed balance, patience and toughness during a performance built around fast starts, steady rebounding and consistent defense.

UCA opened the game with a 13–0 run that set the tone early. The Panthers missed their first 12 shots while the Sugar Bears found quick rhythm.

Paris Santacaterina scored 11 of the first 13 points and knocked down three early threes. Bree Stephens added a layup at the first-quarter horn to push the lead to 22–5. It was the kind of opening that gave the Sugar Bears room to play their style the rest of the afternoon.

Stephens and Santacaterina both ended the day with double-doubles. Stephens finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in a steady two-way effort. Santacaterina added 15 points and 13 rebounds, including five on the offensive end.

With both players active in the paint and beyond the arc, the Sugar Bears controlled the inside-outside balance that often decides road games.

The second quarter slowed down for UCA. Georgia State began to defend the perimeter more tightly and forced a few turnovers.

Even then, the Sugar Bears held the Panthers to 33 percent shooting in the first half and hit seven threes before the break. The lead stayed comfortable at halftime, and UCA looked like the more poised team in every phase.

Georgia State made a small push early in the third quarter, trimming the margin to 13. That run didn’t last long. The Sugar Bears answered with a 16–2 burst that rebuilt a large lead.

Shae Littleford hit four baskets in the quarter, including two threes, and gave UCA another scorer who could keep the offense in rhythm. The ball moved well, with six assists on 10 made shots in the period.

As the lead grew to 28, UCA spread the minutes around. Jenna Cook and Cheyanne Kemp each handed out two assists during the third-quarter surge, helping the Sugar Bears finish with 17 assists as a team.

While Georgia State searched for offense, UCA continued to rebound, defend and push the pace when opportunities appeared.

The final quarter gave the coaching staff a chance to get the bench more time. Four former high school teammates — Emerie Bohanon, Alexis Cox,

Alivia Cox and Kaideyn Beckwith — shared the floor again, joined by freshman Carla Ramirez. The closing minutes were another sign of the roster depth UCA relied on during its three-game stretch in Atlanta.

By the end, the Sugar Bears owned a 54–28 edge on the glass and held Georgia State to 28.1 percent shooting.

UCA shot 40.9 percent from the floor and 36.7 percent from deep, finding the same steady offense that helped the team control the earlier games in the tournament.

The defensive pressure, second-chance points and unselfish passing all reflected the group’s growth through the week.

The win finished off a strong trip that included victories over Samford and Stony Brook.

With the way the Sugar Bears defended and rebounded across three games, they return home with momentum and confidence heading into December.

The team’s balance stood out throughout the week, with multiple scorers, consistent effort on the boards and a willingness to share the ball.

UCA now prepares for a home matchup on December 1 against Hendrix at the Farris Center.

After a stretch that showed steady improvement and teamwork, the Sugar Bears head into the next part of the schedule ready for what comes next.

The ability to start fast, maintain discipline and use depth effectively has become one of the early strengths of this group.

Key takeaways

• UCA opened with a 13–0 run and kept steady control the entire game.

• The Sugar Bears got double-doubles from both Stephens and Santacaterina in a balanced performance.

• Team depth and strong rebounding helped UCA finish the Thanksgiving Tournament 3–0.