Box Score
MOREHEAD, Ky. — Central Arkansas jumped all over Houston Baptist early and steadily pulled away, leading wire-to-wire in a convincing 82-50 victory at the Comfort Inn and Suites Classic at Morehead State on Sunday.
In their most lopsided victory of the season the Sugar Bears (2-3) scored the game's first seven points, extended the lead to 21 halfway through the first period, pushed it past 30 to start the second half and eventually led by as many as 39 before coasting to the 32-point win to snap a three-game losing skid.
"I had forgotten what that felt like," said UCA head coach Matt Daniel. "We had a lot better effort today – it's not so much about the outcome. But we relaxed some in the second half and I'm not pleased with that at all. Overall, though, I think we took a step in the right direction today. We grew from the Morehead State game (on Friday) to the Norfolk State game last night, and grew again today. If we continue to make those strides, we have a chance to be a decent ballclub."
Two scores in the paint from Megan Herbert and a 3-pointer from Destinee Rogers in the first 2:15 set the tone for the game, and the Huskies (0-5) never seriously threatened.
The Sugar Bears connected on 6 of 15 from beyond the arc in the first half and forced HBU into 16 turnovers as they held a 44-15 advantage at the break. Rogers started the second half with an uncontested layup to get the UCA lead over 30 for the first time. After a 3-pointer from HBU's Megan Green, Westin Taylor answered back for the Sugar Bears with one of her five in the game to put UCA ahead 49-18 with 18:19 to go. The lead would stay above 30 the rest of the way.
Herbert had 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Sugar Bears in both categories, breaking the Southland Conference career record by registering her 30th career double-double. She also led the team with two blocks.
Taylor had a season-best 15 points, all off 3-pointers, in 17 minutes and Sidney Stewart added 12 in 14 minutes. The Sugar Bears played all 14 players, with eight getting at least 14 minutes and none more than 28.
Junior guard Jelessa Williams, an Arkansas Baptist transfer playing in just her second game, played 23 minutes and led the team with six assists. The Sugar Bears had a season-high 21 assists on their 31 made baskets, with Rogers adding a season-high five and Micah Rice four. Rice was also second on the team with six rebounds.
Freshman center Courtney Duever led the team with three steals and had eight points and five rebounds to tie her best efforts of the season in all three categories. Junior transfer center Porsha Donnerson also had her best game to date at UCA, getting five points and five rebounds.
Destini Texada had 16 points and six rebounds to lead the way for the Huskies. Green added 13 points.
It was the second straight win in the series for the Sugar Bears, who defeated the Huskies 106-66 last season in the Farris Center.
UCA returns to action Saturday when they host Belmont at 2 p.m.
