CONWAY, Ark. – The Central Arkansas women's basketball team honored its seniors on Saturday at the Farris Center. The first game between the Sugar Bears and the Wildcats came down to a last-second shot and the same would be the case for game two.
 
With 35 seconds left in regulation, Savanna Walker made two free throws to put UCA up 54-53. Abilene Christian missed a layup with 24 seconds left on the clock and after a loose-ball scrum the Wildcats managed to call a timeout with 13 seconds left in the game and 8 seconds left on the shot clock. The Sugar Bear defense forced a turnover with 8 seconds on the clock. Charlay Conway was fouled and went 1-for-2 at the line to give UCA a 55-53 lead. The Central Arkansas defense needed to come up with another defensive stop. The Sugar Bears were up to the challenge and forced a highly contested 3-pointer. The shot was off of the mark and UCA claimed a 55-53 victory.
 
The game started with both teams trading baskets until the 5:22 mark when ACU held a 10-6 lead. UCA responded with a 4-0 run and tied the game at 10-10 with a little over a minute left in the quarter. ACU made a layup with 32 seconds left in the period. Walker drained a 3-pointer with three seconds left in the quarter and gave the Sugar Bears a 13-12 lead at the end of one.
 
Hannah Langhi started the second quarter on fire as she made the first six points of the stanza and extended the UCA lead to 19-12 with 7:44 left in the half. The Wildcats responded with an 11-0 run and gained a 23-19 advantage with just under three minutes left in the half. The Sugar Bears were resilient and went on a 5-0 run and regained the lead, 24-23. After ACU converted on a layup with 20 seconds left in the half, Walker answered with a layup and gave UCA the 26-25 advantage at the half.
 
The Sugar Bears came out firing on all cylinders and started the third quarter on a 13-6 run and extended their lead to 39-31 with 4:46 left in the period. The Wildcats answered with a 10-2 run and tied the game at 41-41 with 51 seconds left in the third. ACU added three more free throws and took a 44-41 lead into the fourth. 
 
Ayanna Trigg opened the fourth with the first four points, followed by a Lucy Ibeh layup to put UCA on top, 47-44 with 4:22 left in regulation. After an ACU 3-pointer tied the game at 47-47, Walker made a jumper while being fouled and made the free throw to convert the and-1. Ayanna Trigg knocked down two free throws and put the Sugar Bears up, 52-49, with 2:56 left in regulation. The Wildcats retook the lead with a jumper with just over a minute left.
 
Ibeh finished with a game-high 20 points, a game-high three steals, and added three rebounds. Walker added a double-digit performance with 11 points and posted a game-high four assists. Ayanna Trigg recorded a game-high nine rebounds and chipped in with nine points. Briana Trigg finished second on the team with six rebounds and produced six points. Langhi blocked the only shot for UCA.
 
Anna McLeod led the Wildcats with 19 points and six rebounds. Sarah Griswold notched 12 points and six rebounds. Alyssa Adams recorded a game-high two blocks.
 
The Sugar Bears will take a day off before they return to the Farris Center for a Monday night matchup on March 1. UCA is scheduled to play McNeese at 5:30 p.m. or 30 minutes after the completion of the men's game against SFA.
 
From the Coach – Head Coach Sandra Rushing
"I thought our girls showed a lot of heart, a lot of passion, and a lot of grit down the stretch. They wanted to win it. They worked hard. We can enjoy it for a little bit, being Senior Day, what a day to go out. We've got a big one on Monday. I'm very proud of these ladies. This was a big win for us!"
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