PALO ALTO, Calif. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears open their second season under Coach Corliss Williamson with a big road challenge Friday night.

The Bears take on the Stanford Cardinal at 9:05 (CT) at Maples Pavilion (cap. 7,329). The game can be heard locally on KUCA 91.3 FM with Monty Rowell.

Stanford, coached by former Duke star Johnny Dawkins, finished 15-16 overall last season and 7-11 in the Pac-10. The Cardinal return all but one player from last year’s team.

“It’s going to be a good challenge to start the season against a team like Stanford,’ said UCA head coach Corliss Williamson. “We hope it helps us down the road to play tough competition early in the sesaon. We’re excited to get on the court and see where we are and what we need to work on.’

The Bears, 5-24 a year ago in Williamson’s first season, return three seniors and five players with experience. Two redshirts and eight newcomers round out the squad.

Senior guard Mark Rutledge is UCA’s leading returning scorer after averaging 9.6 points per game last season. Senior guard Dewan Clayborn averaged 8.7 points and 2.3 assists a year ago, and also connected on 31 three-pointers. The third senior is forward Chris Henson, who played in 25 games last season and averaged 7.2 points and 4.6 rebounds, second on the team.

The Bears complete their two-game road swing at Sacramento State on Sunday. Game time is 3 p,m, (CT). UCA’s first home game is at 7 p.m. Wednesday when they host Philander Smith at the Farris Center.