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CONWAY, Ark. _ During the University of Central Arkansas' current winless streak, the Bears have played several tight games, but none closer than their loss to the Nicholls Colonels on Jan. 16.

The Colonels held on for a 74-72 victory over the Bears at the Farris Center by connecting on 10 three-pointers and scoring 18 points off UCA's 13 turnovers. UCA had four players in double figures, led by senior guard Rylan Bergersen with 24 points, one short of tying his career high. Senior forward Jared Chatham added a double-double with 14 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, including six on the offensive end. The Bears outrebounded the Colonels 41-34, with 12 offensive rebounds.

The Bears and Colonels will meet in the rematch at 5 p.m. Saturday at Stopher Gym in Thibodaux, La. UCA stands 3-15 overall and 2-8 in Southland Conference play. Nicholls is 12-6 overall and 9-2 in league play, good for fourth place in the standings with seven games to play. UCA will then continue its road trip on Monday night against New Orleans at Lakefront Arena in a previously postponed game from Wednesday, Feb. 10 due to covid-19 issues with the Privateers.

UCA is coming off an open date on Wednesday, preceded by a lackluster 97-57 loss at first-place Sam Houston last Saturday. The Bearkats made 13 three-pointers to continue a recent trend by UCA opponents. Over the past eight games, UCA has allowed an average of 10.7 three-pointers per game, above its season average of 9.4.

The Bears remain one of the top rebounding teams in the SLC, averaging 36.9 per game, led by Chatham with a 6.3 average. UCA is also ranked fifth in field-goal percentage (44.4 percent), fifth in three-point percentage (35.1 percent) and third in free-throw percentage (71.8 percent). However, UCA's opponents are shooting 36.1 percent from three-point range averaging 80.8 points per contest.

Nicholls is one of the top scoring teams in the conference (77.4 points per game) and is the top rebounding team (37.5 per game). The Colonels shoot slightly better from the field than the Bears (45.6) and slightly worse from three-point range (32.9).  Nicholls is one of the top defensive teams in the SLC, with opponents shooting just 42.7 percent overall.

Bergersen is fourth in the SLC in scoring at 16.6 points per game and is third in assists (4.2). Chatham is eighth in rebounding (6.3). Ty Gordon leads the Colonels with 14.4 points and 3.8 assists per game, while Najee Garvin is their top rebounder (6.7) and field-goal percentage shooter (48.8 percent). Guard Kevin Johnson leads the conference in steals with 2.2 per game.

The game will be carried live on The Bear 91.3 with Justin Acri and Steve Owens following the women's game.