UCA tops Austin Peay, extending winning streak to six

CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas took a hard-fought 67-63 win over Austin Peay on Wednesday night, marking its sixth straight win in conference play.

The Bears improved to 17-10 overall and 10-5 in ASUN Conference games, keeping pace in the race for a top-four seed in the upcoming ASUN Championship tournament.

Jenna Cook and Cheyanne Kemp each led UCA with 14 points, while Shae Littleford added 12 and Bree Stephens chipped in 11 for the Sugar Bears in the Farris Center.

Slow start, strong finish

Neither team found an early rhythm. UCA and Austin Peay were tied 2-2 before seven minutes elapsed in the first quarter and remained knotted at 7-7 with 5:25 left in the opening period.

After Austin Peay split a pair of free throws, UCA responded with a 5-0 run to take a four-point lead, its first meaningful cushion of the evening.

Back-to-back baskets by Cook and a three-pointer from Paris Santacaterina boosted the Sugar Bears to an eight-point advantage at the end of the first quarter.

But Austin Peay wasn’t content to let the lead grow. The Governors cut the margin to three early in the second, forcing UCA to rely on free throws and disciplined play to keep the Sugar Bears ahead.

Stephens helped widen the gap again with a timely three, giving UCA a 10-point lead at halftime.

Key contributions down the stretch

The second half saw both teams battle through scoring runs and momentum swings. Kemp opened the third quarter with a paint score as UCA pushed its lead to as many as 12 points.

Austin Peay responded, tightening the game and keeping the Sugar Bears from pulling away. But UCA’s balanced scoring and clutch free throw shooting in the fourth quarter helped preserve the lead.

In the final frame, Littleford’s old-fashioned three-point play and free throws by Cook, Kemp and Littleford stretched the lead enough to withstand the Governors’ late rallies.

By game’s end, the Sugar Bears had limited Austin Peay to just nine extra possessions and only three second-chance points, a key to sealing the win.

Standout performances

• Cook: 14 points with key buckets in all four quarters.

• Kemp: 14 points to help maintain scoring balance.

• Littleford: 12 points and free-throw accuracy down the stretch.

• Stephens: 11 points including a pivotal three before half.

Next game for Sugar Bears

With three regular-season games remaining, UCA heads to West Georgia on Saturday. Tip-off from Carrollton is scheduled for 1 p.m.