LAKE CHARLES, La. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears had a chance to break two streaks on Saturday against McNeese State, but did neither as the Cowboys secured an 81-67 victory in front of a crowd of 1,913 at Burton Coliseum.
UCA (5-20, 1-10) was the last team to beat McNeese at home in last year’s season finale, a streak of 10 consecutive victories for the Cowboys. The Bears were also trying to break their own four-game losing streak in Southland Conference play. Instead, the Cowboys (14-8, 6-3) extended their run to 11 games and moved into sole possession of first place in the Southland Conference East Division with the victory, their second over UCA this season.
The Cowboys ended the suspense early Saturday, shooting 52.2 percent in the first half to take a 37-24 lead at halftime. The Bears went 7 of 23 (30.4 percent) from the field in the first half and made only 8 of 14 at the free-throw line.
“We missed a lot of shots early in the game,’ said UCA head coach Corliss Williamson. “We had shots in the paint, we had open jump shots, and we just couldn’t make them. I thought our guys seemed to be a little nervous early in the game. And I think that’s why we weren’t able to make any of the good shots we were getting. It makes it tough when you get off to a start like that.'
The Cowboys, who won by seven points two weeks ago in Conway, came out of the locker room and outscored the Bears 14-6 to in the first five minutes of the second half and never looked back. The Cowboys stayed just as hot in the second half, hitting 51.7 percent overall in the final 20 minutes.
“We didn’t do a very good job of adjusting,’ said Williamson. “They play some man, they play some zone, and mix it up pretty well. And we didn’t do a good job of recognizing it on the court and adjusting our offense to it.
“Sitting on the sideline, you see those shots go up and they fall off the rim and don’t go in, it’s a sickening feeling. You want to find a way to help your team out and get a basket. I thought we had some really good shots and we just weren’t able to convert.
"I definitely thought the effort was there today, but we just couldn’t make anything.’
For the game, McNeese made 22 of 28 (78.6 percent) from the free-throw line. UCA improved in the second half, hitting 15 of 19 to finish at 69.7 percent.
“That’s the one thing we knew about McNeese, you can’t foul them,’ said Williamson. “They shoot free throws so well. We just didn’t do a good job of keeping them off the line.’
The Bears managed to cut their deficit to 10 points at the six-minute mark on T.K. Smith’s three-pointer but the Cowboys quickly pushed it back to as much as 19 points down the stretch.
Senior guard Imad Qahwash led the Bears with 16 points, while senior forward Tadre Sheppard added 13, hitting 9 of 11 at the line. Five players had at least 10 points for the Cowboys, led by junior forward Patrick Richard with 22. Senior guard Diego Kapelan had 19 points, including four three-pointers.
The Bears have a bye on Wednesday before returning home to the Farris Center to host Sam Houston State on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.
