CONWAY, Ark. – Playing one of the top-ten scoring defenses in the country, the Central Arkansas women's basketball team struggled to find the bottom of the net, falling to the Liberty Lady Flames 79-51 on Saturday.
 
Freshman Randrea Wright put up 15 points and four assists to lead the Sugar Bears, who posted their fewest turnovers in a game this season against the Lady Flames, committing just nine miscues. Hannah Langhi had eight points and five rebounds, eclipsing the 500-career rebound mark in the game. Back after a one-game absence, Lucy Ibeh finished with seven points and four steals in just under 20 minutes off the bench.
 
The height of Liberty became apparent right away, as the Lady Flames 12 of their first 18 points in the paint, jumping out to an 18-6 lead. From there, the Sugar Bears would match Liberty for the rest of the quarter, ending the first down 24-8. Playing the entire period, Wright scored four of the eight points for Central Arkansas.
 
Settling down and relying on defensive intensity, the Sugar Bears forced five turnovers from the Lady Flames in the second, holding them to 15 points. Offensively, Central Arkansas kept pace, utilizing offensive rebounds to earn second-chance opportunities, scoring five points on extra possessions. But with an obvious height advantage, the Lady Flames were able to continue to attack the paint, getting looks at high-percentage shots.
 
Central Arkansas attempted to take advantage of quick hands and guard play, coming out of the break with an intention to pressure the ball and force turnovers. Lucy Ibeh and Wright combined for five steals in the quarter, getting live-ball turnovers on five of the seven miscues from the Lady Flames. But clean looks were hard to come by for the Sugar Bears, as the missed field goals started adding up. To their credit, the Sugar Bears attacked the paint, forcing defenders into fouls and earning 14 free throws in the period. Entering the fourth, the Sugar Bears were trailing 59-37, where the lead grew to its final of 79-51.
 
Turnovers, usually an issue for the Sugar Bears, were kept largely under control in this game. Committing only nine, just one player had more than one turnover, highlighting an improved emphasis on taking care of possessions. Central Arkansas pulled down 16 offensive rebounds, the tenth time this season the Sugar Bears have had double-digit offensive rebounds. Wright's 15 points were the seventh game this season of double-digit scoring for the Birmingham, Ala., native.
 
The Sugar Bears have one more game at home before their next road trip, as the team hosts Northern Alabama on Monday. Another COVID makeup date, the game will mark the fourth game in eight days for the team as the Sugar Bears work through the conference schedule. Tip-off against the Lions is scheduled for 2 p.m.