CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears will try to move to 2-0 in Southland Conference play on Sunday afternoon when they host Southeastern Louisiana at approximately 3:15 at the Farris Center.
UCA (7-7) is coming off an 81-69 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the SLC opener on Thursday night, which moved the Bears' home record to 5-0 this season. The Lions will provide a formidable test, however, after knocking off league favorite Stephen F. Austin 73-62 at home on Thursday night. The Lions and Bears enter with identical 7-7 and 1-0 records.
The teams split their two meetings last season, with the home team winning both games. Last Thursday's opening night in SLC play saw all six home teams win, putting a premium on defending the home court.
SLU is led by junior guard Marlain Veal, who averages 13.4 points and a league-high 5.3 assists per game. Junior Moses Greenwood (6-foot-7, 221 pounds) is the Lions' leading rebounder at 6.3 per game. Veal scored a combined 52 points in the two meetings last season, including 28 points in the 87-70 win at home in Hammond.
UCA's Jordan Howard is the fourth-leading scorer in the nation and hit a game-winning, last-second three-pointer against the Lions in the Bears' 68-66 victory a year ago at the Farris Center. Howard scored just 14 and 17 points against the Lions.
Junior guard Thatch Unruh led the Bears in the win over the Islanders on Thursday, tying his career high with 20 points. Freshman center Hayden Koval (7-0, 210), returned to the starting lineup for the first time since Dec. 4, tied the school record for blocked shots for the second time this season with 7 blocks against A&M-CC. He leads the SLC with 35 blocks (2.5 per game). Senior Mathieu Kamba had 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists against the Islanders.
The Bears will play their next two games on the road _ and three of their next four _ at Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Texas, on Wednesday night, and in Beaumont, Texas, against the Lamar Cardinals next Saturday. UCA returns home against Incarnate Word on Wednesday, Jan. 10.
UCA-SLU GAME NOTES
