LAKE CHARLES, La. — Central Arkansas got out to an early 8-0 lead Wednesday and McNeese State never recovered as the Sugar Bears led for all but the first 35 seconds as they defeated the Cowgirls 70-56 at Burton Coliseum.
The Sugar Bears (21-3, 11-2 Southland) snapped a three-game losing streak to the Cowgirls (16-10, 8-6) and won for the fourth time in their last five trips to Lake Charles, and in the process won their 11th straight game away from the Farris Center while dealing the Cowgirls just their second home loss of the season.
"I'm very happy with this win," said UCA head coach Sandra Rushing. "The girls played so hard. I'm so proud of them. And I thought we were focused. Before the game,
Brianna Mullins and
Maggie Proffitt were talking about how it's been awhile since we beat McNeese and how this is a big rivalry. I thought our players responded, and we beat a very good basketball team tonight."
With the victory, the Sugar Bears put themselves two and a half games ahead of Northwestern State for the top seed in next month's Southland Conference tournament, and sit three and half ahead of Stephen F. Austin for one of the top two seeds, which brings with it a double by into the tournament's semifinals.
The Sugar Bears shot 46.4 percent for the night, including 60.7 percent (17 of 28) in the first half as they ran out to a 40-25 halftime lead. They limited the Cowgirls to 34.3 percent shooting on the night, including just 16 of 53 (30.2 percent) through three quarters as they held McNeese to 18.5 points beneath their scoring average in conference play.
Brianna Mullins led the Sugar Bears with a season-high 24 points, one off her career high.
Taylor Baudoin had a season-high 20 points on 8 of 11 shooting, and matched
Kendara Watts with a team-high 9 rebounds in 29 minutes.
Jameka Watkins had 12 points, 5 rebounds and a game-high 7 assists. Maggie Proffitt, the Sugar Bears' leading scorer at 14.8 points per game coming in, was held to 4 points on 2 of 13 shooting, but had 6 rebounds and 2 blocks while playing all 40 minutes.
"I thought tonight Maggie had one of the best defensive games in her career," Rushing said. "They were not letting her get a shot off, but other players stepped up. Maggie being on the floor opens stuff up, and her defense was tremendous tonight."
McNeese got 16 points from Amber Donnes and Jayln Johnson added 11.
The Sugar Bears wrap up their road swing on Saturday at Sam Houston State, then return to the Farris Center for a rematch with the Bearkats on Wednesday.
