Bears
UCA looking to get back on winning track going to Pine Bluff
Bears making first trip to Pine Bluff since 1994 and trying to turn around last year’s disappointing late loss
PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Central Arkansas continues their in-state road trip Saturday when they take on the UAPB Golden Lions at 6 p.m. at H.O. Clemmons Arena.
The Bears (2-6) will be making their first trip to Pine Bluff since 1994. UCA leads the overall series 23-14 but UAPB won the last meeting a year ago in Conway. The Golden Lions won 85-83 as the Bears misfired on a pair of three-point attempts in the final seconds.
UCA trailed by 12 points in the first half but closed the half on a 16-0 run to grab a 43-39 halftime lead. UAPB got the game-winning basket from Rashad Williams with 13 seconds left. Williams led the Golden Lions with 28 points as three players combined for 68 of their points. None of those three players are on the current roster.
UCA got 22 points from Elias Cato, who is the Bears’ lone senior this season and second-leading scorer at 15.0 points per game. The Bears, who dropped a 63-57 decision at Little Rock on Wednesday night, are led by freshman guard Layne Taylor, who averages 16 points, 5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.
The Bears are coming off a poor shooting night at Little Rock in which they shot just 31.1 percent from the field and 23.1 percent from three-point range. In their previous game, a loss at Power 4 Georgia Tech, the Bears made 14 three-pointers, their third game of the season with double figure threes. For the season, Taylor has a team-high 25 three-pointers, while 10 different players have made at least one.
UAPB, coached by Solomon Bozeman, is 1-8 on the season against a big-time schedule. The Golden Lions have losses at Cincinnati, Tulsa, South Florida, Texas Tech, Missouri, Pacific, Kansas State and Incarnate Word. The only victory was in the only home game thus far, a 99-57 win over Champion Christian on Nov. 6.
UAPB has three players averaging in double figures, with Christian Moore the top scorer (12.2 points per game) and Robert Lewis the top rebounder (6.3). The Golden Lions average 70.8 points per game while allowing 95.4, including 100+ points four times. Their last was a 112-73 loss at K-State on Dec. 1.
The Bears will play a third consecutive in-state foe next Saturday when they take on the Arkansas Razorbacks at 3 p.m. at Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock.
Information from UCA Sports is included in this story
