CONWAY — Central Arkansas spread the wealth on Monday, registering 27 assists on 38 baskets and had 10 players log at least 14 minutes as the Sugar Bears overwhelmed Paul Quinn College 92-35 in the Farris Center.
"I think we did what we were supposed to do," said UCA head coach Matt Daniel. "I just wish we would have done it with more intensity. I didn't like the intensity in the first half, but we settled in later. We didn't really know what to expect. There was not a lot of film on them, and that made it hard to prep on what the game plan should be. But we did a better job in the second half and took care of our business."
The Sugar Bears (3-0) ran out to a 38-18 halftime lead, then pulled away in the second period by outscoring the Tigerettes, which compete in the NAIA's Red River Athletic Conference, 54-17.
UCA got double-doubles from juniors Megan Herbert and Chantel Moss, with Herbert getting 12 points and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes for her 49th career double-double, and Moss posting career highs of 10 and 10 in 25 minutes for her first as a Sugar Bear.
Junior forward Desiree' Rogers led all scorers with 21, and sophomore center Courtney Duever had 17.
Ten different Sugar Bears combined for 27 assists, led by four apiece from Duever, Britney Gowans and Micah Rice. Freshman guard Sharlay Burris saw her first extended action and contributed across the board with two points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals in 23 minutes.
Chanequa Hillis led Paul Quinn with 17 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Chaniese Turner added 10 points for the Tigerettes.
UCA forced Paul Quinn into 31 turnovers while committing nine – with just one coming in the second half. The Sugar Bears shot 51.4 percent from the field after shooting 32.1 percent in wins over Alabama and Indiana to begin the season.
The Sugar Bears will take to the road for the first time this season for three straight days of action at the Basketball Travelers Tournament at Texas Tech beginning Friday. UCA will face Louisiana-Monroe on Friday at 6 p.m., followed by No. 19 Texas Tech Saturday at 1 p.m. and then finish with UMKC on Sunday at noon.
