NACOGDOCHES, Texas — In the first half of Wednesday's game at Southland Conference-leading Stephen F. Austin, Central Arkansas held the Ladyjacks to just 19 points – their lowest-scoring half of the season.

But the defensive dominance the Sugar Bears have become synonymous with was nowhere to be found in the second half as the 'Jacks erupted for 40 points on 58.3 percent shooting and kept Central Arkansas to just 25 as the Sugar Bears fell 59-46 at Johnson Coliseum.

The loss was the first for the Sugar Bears (14-6, 7-2 Southland) in 12 Southland Conference road games, and first to the 'Jacks (15-3, 7-0) since 2015, ending the winning streak against SFA at four.

After holding a 21-19 lead at the break, the Sugar Bears quickly found themselves in a hole as SFA scored the first seven points of the 3rd quarter to take a lead the 'Jacks would not relinquish. They held the Sugar Bears to a single point over the quarter's final 3:05, finishing on an 8-1 run to push the lead out to 10. In the quarter, Central Arkansas had 7 turnovers and 6 fouls to just 3 field goals (on 8 attempts) and 4 rebounds.

The Ladyjack lead would reach as many as 17 midway through the fourth quarter before the Sugar Bears finished with one last burst – getting 8 points over the final minute and a half to trim the final deficit to 13.

Kierra Jordan had 15 points and 6 rebounds for Central Arkansas, with 10 and 5 coming in the first half. Taylor Baudoin had 11 points, 6 rebounds and a pair of blocks. Mekaylan Hicks added 6 points and 2 rebounds in 13 minutes off the bench, while Hannah Langhi had 4 points in six minutes.

SFA got 17 points from Taylor Jackson and 15 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists from Chanell Hayes.

The Sugar Bears were held to just 1 of 6 shooting from beyond the arc, equaling a season low in each. SFA, conversely, hit 8 of 24 from long range – led by 3 from both Hayes and Jackson. The Sugar Bears are now just 6 for their last 32 (18.8 percent) from beyond the arc over the last three games.

SFA outscored the Sugar Bears 29-11 in points off turnovers as Central Arkansas committed 21 – the Sugar Bears' highest total of the season outside their 24 at Tennessee.

The win keeps SFA atop the league standings as the last team unbeaten in Southland play, and keeps the 'Jacks perfect at home this year at 10-0. The teams meet again in Conway on Feb. 21.

The Sugar Bears, who have lost two of their last three, will look to regroup on Saturday at Northwestern State with tipoff set for 1:00pm.