BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Despite a strong shooting effort both from the perimeter and at the free throw line, Central Arkansas could not overcome a decided rebounding and turnover disparity against a talented Western Kentucky team and fell 93-57 at E.A. Diddle Arena in the first round of the Preseason WNIT in the season opener for both teams.
The Sugar Bears (0-1) shot 75 percent from the free throw line and 47.1 percent from 3-point range, led by sophomore guard Maggie Proffitt who was 5-of-7 from beyond the arc and 6 for 12 overall en route to a game-high 22 points off the bench.
Unfortunately for the Sugar Bears, the larger Lady Toppers – with eight players on the roster 6-foot or taller and only three shorter than 5-10 – exploited their size advantage to double up UCA on the boards, winning the rebounding battle 44-22 including 23 offensive rebounds that led to 30 second-chance points. The Lady Toppers (1-0) did much of their offensive damage around the basket, scoring 54 points in the paint to just 20 for the Sugar Bears.
WKU, receiving votes in the Associated Press Top 25 and picked 2nd in the Conference USA preseason polls, had five players score in double figures, led by 22 points from Bria Gaines. Sophomore guard Kendall Noble, a Preseason All C-USA selection, had a game-high 12 rebounds –including seven on the offensive end – to go with 17 points, four assists and three steals. Chastity Gooch, the Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year, had 14 points and six rebounds in 28 minutes.
The Sugar Bears had 22 turnovers in the game, which the Lady Toppers converted into 27 points. Meanwhile the Sugar Bears forced just 11 turnovers, leading to eight points.
Brianna Mullins and Kendara Watts each had 9 points for the Sugar Bears, with Brittany Agee leading the way with four rebounds. Proffitt was 5 of 6 from the free throw line, and Mullins and Watts were both 2 for 2. The 22 points was the third-highest total of Proffitt's Sugar Bear career, trailing her 30 points on Nov. 14, 2013 against Central Baptist and 23 against New Orleans in February.
The loss puts the Sugar Bears into the consolation bracket of the WNIT, with pairings and location to be determined. The losers of the eight first-round matchups will be placed into two four-team pods, with each team being guaranteed two games. Those games are scheduled for Nov. 21 and 22. The Sugar Bears are scheduled for their home opener on Nov. 25 against Lyon College.
