MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Central Arkansas women's basketball team opened the season with a 43-83 loss at Kansas State on Monday. The Sugar Bears got a look at a lot of new talent on the roster, with two newcomers leading the team in scoring on the afternoon.
 
Parris Atkins and Kyjai Miles led the team in scoring, each reaching double-figures against the Wildcats. Miles also led the team with six boards and a couple of blocks on the night.
 
The Sugar Bears kept it close for the first five minutes of the first half, keeping within four points on a three ball from Kinley Fisher to cut it to 11-7.  Though the lead would grow, Central Arkansas battled throughout the early goings of the game, even taking a steal on the last possession of the first quarter.
 
Central Arkansas would go toe-to-toe with the Wildcats in the second quarter, matching Kansas State shot for shot throughout the period. In fact, early in the second quarter, the Sugar Bears had actually cut into the lead, narrowing it to 10 in the first minute of the period, outscoring the Wildcats until the last minute of the half, where Kansas State hit a buzzer beater to even the second quarter scoring with the Sugar Bears.
 
Kansas State would pull away in the second half, tightening the defense and extending the lead late. But the Sugar Bears didn't go quietly, forcing seven turnovers in the final quarter and making the Wildcats stay vigilant on the ball. Central Arkansas came away with nine steals on the night, while committing only one more turnover than the Wildcats.
 
Central Arkansas will stay on the road for the next one, taking on in-state foe Arkansas on Friday. Tipoff against the Razorbacks is set for 10:30 a.m. in Fayetteville, Ark.