CONWAY — A third-quarter outburst and defensive pressure was enough to help overcome a rough shooting night for Central Arkansas as the Sugar Bears opened the 2018-19 season with a 55-34 win over Central Baptist in the Farris Center on Tuesday.
Despite shooting just 32.8 percent from the field, 1-of-17 (5.9 percent) from 3-point range and 58.3 percent (14 of 24) from the free throw line, the Sugar Bears (1-0) were able to keep the Lady Mustangs from ever presenting a serious threat thanks in large part to 27 CBC turnovers and holding the Lady Mustangs to just 29.3 percent shooting on the night.
"I didn't think we came out with much energy for a first game – but it was a typical first ballgame," said Central Arkansas head coach Sandra Rushing. "We missed a lot of free throws and missed a lot of shots – but we played a lot of people, and that's good. We needed to play a lot of people. We were missing the chemistry we've had in practice going against our scout team, and I'm disappointed in that. But I really like this team and we're going to get better and better and better when they decide to lock in."
After a first quarter in which they built a 10-point lead despite shooting just 3-of-10 from the field, the Sugar Bears were unable to get any separation from the Lady Mustangs in the second quarter as CBC shot 5-of-8 (62.5 percent) in the period to go into the half trailing by only 11, 29-18.
The Sugar Bears would come out and put the game away in the third quarter, outscoring CBC 20-5 on the strength of 53.3 percent shooting (8 of 15) and forcing 7 CBC turnovers. For the game, the Sugar Bears scored 26 points on 27 CBC turnovers, getting 16 steals in the process.
Central Arkansas was led by senior guard Kamry Orr with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting, also adding 5 rebounds and 2 steals in 30 minutes. Junior guard Taylor Sells added 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists. Junior forward Keturah Bingham, in her first game as a Sugar Bear, had 7 points and 7 rebounds – including 6 on the offensive end – in 17 minutes off the bench.
The Sugar Bears return to action in the Farris Center on Friday night when they take on Hendrix at 7:00pm.
NOTES
• The Sugar Bears played all 11 players available for the game – missing senior guard Antonija Bozic and junior center Alexyse Thomas due to injury – with four playing their first game in a Central Arkansas uniform
• The win improves the Sugar Bears to 10-0 all-time against CBC
• The Sugar Bears are 42-6 in the Farris Center since 2015-16
• By holding CBC to 34, it is the 33rd time the Sugar Bears have held an opponent to 40 or fewer points in 6+ seasons under head coach Sandra Rushing
• Kamry Orr reached the 20-point mark for the 7th time in her 34 games at Central Arkansas
• The Sugar Bears held CBC to 77 points fewer than the Lady Mustangs scored in their season opener – a 111-40 victory over Ecclesia College on Saturday
• Maddie Goodner (1-for-7) was the lone Sugar Bear to connect from beyond the arc, as the rest of the team combined to go 0-for-10. The Sugar Bears hit just one 3-pointer in a game four times last season, and have not gone without a 3-pointer in a game since going 0-for-12 against Abilene Christian on January 2, 2016
