NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- A slow start and cold first-half shooting was more than Central Arkansas could overcome at Stephen F. Austin on Wednesday, and the Sugar Bears’ second-half rally fell short as they dropped a 54-45 decision to the Ladyjacks.
“Our shots weren’t very good and I thought our execution wasn’t very good,” said UCA head coach Matt Daniel. “We didn’t shoot well at all in the first half, but we still guarded quite a bit and that kept us in it. But that’s the way they want the game, and they did a great job. We played frustrated and not focused from the jump. We didn’t do as good a job as we’re capable of doing. This is a tough place to play and they’re going to win a lot of games.”
On a night where they shot just 24.6 percent (16 of 65) from the field and 28.1 percent (9 of 32) from 3-point range, the Sugar Bears (11-4, 1-1 Southland) were still able to make a game of it down the stretch.
SFA (12-3, 2-0) led by as many as 19 early in the second half, but the Sugar Bears chipped away and were able to get to within 10 at 34-24 halfway through the period. The Ladyjacks countered with a 10-3 run to get some separation that would turn out to be valuable in the final moments.
Trailing 44-27, the Sugar Bears clawed their way back with a 15-4 run – fueled by four 3-pointers -- to trim their deficit to six with 2:21 to play, but could not draw any closer.
The Ladyjacks started the game with a 16-2 run and kept UCA off the board for more than six minutes, but despite their shooting woes the Sugar Bears were able to stay in the game thanks to an eight-minute period where they held SFA to just one free throw. Eventually UCA whittled the Ladyjack lead to seven at 19-12, but the Sugar Bears’ shooting struggles continued and they were unable to fully capitalize on their opportunity. The Ladyjacks bounced back with a 9-1 run to close the half and took a 28-13 lead into the locker room, ending a half in which the Sugar Bears shot just 5-for-29 (17.2 percent) including 2-for-15 (13.3 percent) from 3-point range.
No Sugar Bear scored in double figures, the first time that has happened this season. Courtney Duever and Desiree’ Rogers had eight apiece to lead the way, with Megan Herbert and Nakeia Guiden adding seven. Herbert had a game-high 11 rebounds to get to 900 for her career and pass Carone Harris for fifth in program history.
Porsha Roberts led SFA with 12 points and Tammara Marion had 11 along with a game-high six assists.
It was the Sugar Bears’ first loss in their last three meetings with SFA, which remains perfect against UCA in Nacogdoches.
The Sugar Bears return to the Farris Center for their Southland home opener Saturday against Northwestern State at 2 p.m.
