CONWAY — It took Alcorn State four minutes to get on the board against Central Arkansas in Friday night's season opener. By then, the game was already well in hand.
The Sugar Bears (1-0) ran out to an early 26-3 lead, extended it to 40-15 at the half, and pulled away further in the second half for a 71-39 win in a one-sided showing in their 2013-14 debut.
"I thought we came out with good intensity," said head coach Sandra Rushing, beginning her second season at UCA. "We played good, solid defense – you're going to have a breakdown, and we had a lack of focus at times and missed a couple assignments, but overall I was very, very pleased."
The Sugar Bears got a productive outing from their starting backcourt of fifth-year senior Micah Rice and true freshman Brianna Mullins from Rosston, Ark., who combined for 27 points, 12 assists, 8 rebounds and 5 steals in 44 minutes.
Rice, in her first game back since a torn ACL limited her to nine games last season, led the way with 14 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals in 24 minutes. Mullins, playing in her first collegiate game, added 13 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals with just a single turnover in 20 minutes. The duo combined to shoot 75 percent (6 of 8) from 3-point range, with Rice drilling 4 of 5 and Mullins 2 of 3.
"I thought Brianna Mullins came in and did a tremendous job," Rushing said. "She worked well with that first group. For a freshman to come in and score 13 points in 20 minutes in her first game – that's not bad. And it was great to see Micah back out there. She's the glue that keeps everything together and keeps us steady. She helped Brianna tonight with her steadiness and experience. We missed Micah's leadership on the floor last year, and you could see tonight the difference it makes having her out there."
Senior Courtney Duever had 12 points and 7 rebounds in only 19 minutes. With only four returning players on the roster, the Sugar Bears suited up nine players making their UCA debut on Friday. Along with Mullins, transfer junior forwards Terai Sadler and Brittany Agee combined for 13 points and 6 rebounds in their first start as Sugar Bears. Junior guard Kelsei Ewings came off the bench to add seven points, while freshmen guards Maggie Proffitt and Kelsey McClure had 5 points apiece and totaled 9 rebounds and 3 steals.
"I was really happy with how they played," Rushing said. "I love my freshmen. They're going to get better and better and better. I'm really excited about what they're going to contribute to the program and the pride they take in putting on that uniform."
Even in the easy victory, the Sugar Bears were not without weakness – shooting just 60 percent at the free throw line.
"That's the thing I'm concerned about," Rushing said. "We shot 44 percent from the free throw line in the second half. Either we're tired or it's a lack of focus. You can't look at the score at halftime and relax – not if you're trying to build on it and trying to go win a championship. You have to stay focused for 40 minutes. That'll be a challenge some this year, getting the freshmen to stay focused."
The Sugar Bears have a quick turnaround, heading to Oxford, Miss. to take on the Ole Miss Rebels on Sunday.
"We don't have time to enjoy this win," Rushing said. "We get on the bus and head out at 12:30 tomorrow to go take on Ole Miss. Our non-conference schedule is demanding, but I wouldn't want to have it any other way. It'll prepare us for what we want to achieve at the end of the year. We want to throw these young kids in that situation and see how we respond. I'm excited about this season, watching this team grow and mature."
