UCA women snap EKU’s perfect ASUN run on road

RICHMOND, Ky. — Central Arkansas delivered one of its strongest road efforts of the season Thursday night.

The Sugar Bears went into Richmond and defeated Eastern Kentucky University 60-48, handing the Colonels their first ASUN Conference loss of the year.

UCA improved to 15-10 overall and 8-5 in league play with the win. The Sugar Bears also earned their second straight road victory and moved into a tie for third place in the conference standings, just one game out of second.

Shae Littleford paced UCA with 18 points. Cheyanne Kemp added 14, while Bree Stephens contributed six blocks, six rebounds and five points in a steady all-around performance.

From the opening minutes, the Sugar Bears set the tone. Littleford scored early inside, and UCA’s defense forced five turnovers in the first quarter alone.

The pressure worked. EKU shot just 25 percent in the opening quarter, allowing the Sugar Bears to slowly create space on the scoreboard.

A 9-0 run turned a one-point deficit into a 10-point advantage. Laylah Reese capped that stretch with a three-pointer that pushed UCA firmly in front.

Eastern Kentucky responded with a short run late in the quarter, but the Sugar Bears stayed in control heading into the second period.

UCA builds a halftime cushion

The second quarter began the same way the first ended — with UCA dictating pace. The Sugar Bears opened the frame on an 8-0 run, stretching their lead to 15 points.

Stephens answered EKU’s first basket of the quarter with a three-pointer of her own, keeping momentum with UCA.

Littleford added another key basket that pushed the margin to 17 with less than four minutes left before halftime.

Later in the period, she connected from deep again, sparking another 8-0 run. That surge expanded the lead to 22 and nearly tripled the Colonels’ total at the time.

EKU managed a pair of late scores before the break, trimming the deficit slightly. Still, the Sugar Bears carried an 18-point advantage into halftime.

Balanced offense and firm defense defined the first half. UCA limited second chances and protected the paint, with Stephens altering shots around the rim.

The defensive effort allowed the Sugar Bears to control tempo and force the Colonels into difficult looks throughout the opening 20 minutes.

Sugar Bears answer second-half push

Eastern Kentucky opened the second half with urgency. A quick stretch of scoring cut the UCA lead to 12 and then to 11 midway through the third quarter.

That’s when freshman guard Jenna Cook stepped in with a timely three-pointer. Her shot pushed the margin back into double digits.

Linda Amaning followed with a strong drive to the basket, helping the Sugar Bears regain a 14-point cushion heading into the fourth quarter.

As the final period began, UCA added a free throw to extend the lead to 15 again. The Colonels kept competing, but the Sugar Bears matched each push.

Paris Santacaterina drilled a corner three to maintain breathing room. Soon after, Cook connected on another long-range shot from behind a screen with just under seven minutes remaining.

Even when EKU trimmed the deficit to 12 late, UCA stayed composed. The Sugar Bears closed the game with steady possessions and disciplined defense to secure the 60-48 win.

With the result, UCA strengthened its position in the ASUN race. The Sugar Bears will look to build on the momentum Saturday when they visit Bellarmine University for a 1 p.m. matchup.