CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears did enough on the defensive end Sunday afternoon to close out the Lyon College Scots 62-47 in their final non-conference tuneup at the Farris Center.

The Bears (5-8) held the Scots (8-5) to just 34.6 percent shooting in their final prep before Southland Conference play begins Wednesday night at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. UCA shot 43.8 percent overall and had 17 turnovers but prevailed because of its work on the defensive end.

"We were really good on the defensive end,' said UCA head coach Russ Pennell. "That's what won the game. For whatever reason, we're not shooting the ball very well. We had wide-open shots. I think the offense is getting us some good looks, we're just not making them. And shooting kind of comes and goes, I get that.

"I think some people would say, I thought they would kill those guys. First of all, they're pretty good. And second of all, I thought our defense was what I wanted it to be. Everything was contested. And you hold someone to 34.6 percent, that's a pretty good effort.'

UCA got 10 points, 7 rebounds and 6 blocked shots from 7-foot sophomore center Hayden Koval but he was the only Bear in double figures. However, seven other scored at least five points, including eight points each from freshmen Eddy Kayouloud and Khaleem Bennett.

The scored was tied at 20-20 with 4 minutes to play in the first half before the Bears outscored the Scots 11-3 to close out the half to take a 31-23 lead at the break. The Bears extended that lead to 12 points in the opening five minutes of the second half before the Scots pulled to within seven one final time with 13:30 remaining. A free throw by Bennett with 3:50 left gave UCA its biggest lead of the game at 54-37.

Sophomore guard Matthew Mondesir had 7 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals for the Bears, while Kayouloud had two of UCA's seven three-pointers and added 2 blocked shots. Senior Thatch Unruh scored 6 points and had a team-high 4 assists. Redshirt freshman post player SK Shittu finished with 6 points and 5 rebounds to help Koval control the inside against the smaller Scots.

"He's (Koval) stronger with the ball when he's getting smashed in there,' said Pennell. "He just wants to play a little more physical. And I like the fact our guys are really getting him touches. And that's been a real emphasis since we've been back. We've got to establish the inside, and I think that's going to set up everything else.

"And I thought SK had a really nice game. He's kind of coming out his shell and that could be a big, big factor for us. The thing with SK is, he has to use his athleticism more. He's quicker than most guys he will ever play against at that position, and I think sometimes he's trying to play so powerful that he's not using his athleticism.'

Emir Sabic made four three-pointers to lead Lyon with 14 points, withy Eric Moses adding 10 points and 6 rebounds.

"When you're quick and fast, there's no reason to bang. Just go around people. He's getting back, rounding back into what he was before he had to sit out last year. I like the direction he's headed.'

UCA opens SLC play with a two-game road trip to A&M-Corpus Christi and to Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday. The Bears have two consecutive league games at home, against Sam Houston State on Jan. 9 and Lamar on Jan. 12.