TROY, Ala. _ A huge run to start the second half and a career high from a freshman was not enough to carry the University of Central Arkansas Bears to a victory on Sunday afternoon.

The Troy Trojans (2-3) survived UCA's big run and made free throws down the stretch to secure an 82-77 non-conference victory at Trojan Arena.

UCA freshman Eddy Kayouloud scored a career-high 30 points, hitting 12 of  16 from the field, including 5 of 7 from three-point range. Kayouloud, in the starting lineup for the first time this season, helped the Bears outscore the Trojans 43-39 in the second half. But a nine-point halftime deficit was the difference as UCA shot just 35.5 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes.

Still, UCA opened the second half with an 18-3 run that included a pair of consecutive threes from Kayouloud and another from sophomore point guard DeAndre Jones, along with a dunk and layup by sophomore center Hayden Koval. UCA led 59-50 with 9:32 left but the Trojans heated back up from there. Troy made 9 of 15 at the free-throw line in the second half and also hit four three-pointers to hold off the Bears.

UCA (2-3) led as late as the 5:31 mark when Koval made his second three-pointer but Troy answered with consecutive threes and re-took the lead for good at 73-70 with 3:33 to play. The Bears missed two three-point attempts in the final minute and Troy made 5 of 6 at the free-throw line. Kayouloud scored the final five points for the Bears, including his fifth three-pointer in the final seconds.

For the game, UCA shot 45.2 percent overall and 36.7 percent (11 of 30) from three-point range. The 11 three-pointers was a season high for the Bears. UCA was 10 of 15 at the line while Troy was 16 of 24. UCA's Jones finished with 19 points and 7 rebounds with just one turnovers, while Koval had 15 points. Jordon Varnado topped Troy with 21 points and Javan Johnson added 20. 

The Bears are off until next Saturday when they play at Saint Louis at 3 p.m. at Chaifetz Arena. The next home game for UCA is Wednesday, Nov. 28 against Little Rock in the "Governor's I-40 Showdown."