RUSTON, La. — After trailing by as many as 15 in the second half at Louisiana Tech on Tuesday, Central Arkansas rallied to take a two-point lead in the last two minutes, but a late turnover and a pair of Lady Techster free throws was enough to deal the Sugar Bears a 65-63 loss.
After a 3-pointer from UCA's Tracey Parsons tied the game at 63 with 31 seconds left, the Lady Techsters (1-3) got one of two free throws from Brittany Lewis on their ensuing possession with six seconds left to retake the lead. Parsons got the rebound for the Sugar Bears (3-1) on Lewis' miss on the second free throw attempt, and the Sugar Bears called timeout to set up a final play.
The inbounds pass from freshman Jameka Watkins was a jump ball that Lewis got over Courtney Duever, and Lewis went to the line and again made one of two with two seconds left. UCA's Micah Rice had a desperation heave from near halfcourt for the win, but it sailed right of the rim as time expired.
"We did fight when we got down," said UCA head coach Sandra Rushing. "It's easy to fight when you're down because there's no pressure. I'm frustrated with this basketball game. We're not listening, we're not executing, and we're not doing the things I'm asking them to do. But that will change."
Senior forward Megan Herbert recorded her 69th career double-double and led all players with 24 points and 13 rebounds – including 15 points and 8 rebounds in the second half. Herbert now has 1,163 rebounds for her career, passing Checola Seals for fourth in UCA history.
Parsons had 14 points and five rebounds, while Rice added nine points, eight assists and three steals.
The Lady Techsters were led by 17 points from Jelena Vucinic, and got 14 from Lewis. Whitney Frazier added 13 and Kelia Shelton had 12.
For the game, the Sugar Bears shot 42.1 percent (24 of 57) while holding La. Tech to 38.2 percent (21-55), including just 30.8 percent (8 of 26) in the second half.
The Lady Techsters made 21 of 26 free throws, while UCA made just 12 of their 17 attempts.
The Sugar Bears will return to play with their fourth straight road game when they travel to Tennessee-Martin on Dec. 1.
