CHARLESTON, Ill. _  Junior Shafial Mason blasted a shot from 20 yards out in double overtime to push the University of Central Arkansas Bears past the Eastern Illinois Panthers 2-1 on Friday night at Lakeside Field.

The Bears (5-1) won their fourth road game in as many tries this season. Mason’s unassisted goal came in the 106th minute and broke the 1-1 tie. It was UCA’s 24th shot of the night and eighth in the combined extra periods.

“It wasn’t one of our better performances overall but we got the win,’ said first-year head coach Ross Duncan. “We certainly had the momentum in the first overtime with some really good chances. We just talked them between the overtimes and said, ‘Look guys, don’t change a thing. Keep doing what you’re doing and we’re going to get one.’

“And then Shafial hit an absolute fireball.’

UCA took an early lead on sophomore Daniel Sampredo’s second goal of the season, assisted by Michael Quinn and Mason, in the 72nd minute. EIU tied the game on a throw-in by Jake Irwin that glanced off UCA keeper Cody Gibson at the 86:30 mark.

“It was something we knew from scouting that they had the long throw,’ said Duncan. “This kid could throw it all the way in the goal, and that’s basically what he did. Cody read it perfectly and kind of came out. I don’t know if he got bumped or what but there were so many bodies in the box there. It was tough and he just mishandled it.’

Gibson, a senior from Tomball, Texas, improved to 3-0 on the season with five saves on the  night. Sampredo had a game-high eight shots, with four on goal, while Ethan Miller added five.

UCA held EIU to 13 shots overall, with just two in the overtime periods.

The Bears return home to host Mercer University at noon Saturday at the Bill Stephens Track/Soccer Complex.