CONWAY, Ark. – Back after a quick Christmas Break, the Central Arkansas women's basketball team is back on the court Thursday afternoon, facing Alabama A&M at the Farris Center. Tipping off at 1 p.m., it marks the final non-conference game of the season for the Sugar Bears, who will then embark on Year Two in the ASUN.
 
Last time out, the Sugar Bears (5-5) ended the semester in the win column, blowing out Champion Christian last Tuesday. Led by freshman Parris Atkins' 15 points, Central Arkansas used a balanced scoring effort that saw all but two Sugar Bears score at least eight points to defeat the Lady Tigers. In addition to Atkins' double-digit output, Kinley Fisher connected on a trio of shots from beyond the arc to set a new season-high with 11 points. Kayla Mitchell was great at controlling possessions on both sides of the ball, dishing out a season-best seven assists while also coming away with five steals for the second-straight game.
 
By scoring double-digits for the seventh time this season, Atkins now leads the team in scoring at 10.0 points per game, while ranking second on the team in three-pointers and steals. The Sugar Bears have been terrific at causing live-ball turnovers this season, with 77 steals through 10 games, compared to just 57 steals by opponents.
 
Thursday's game marks just the second meeting between the schools, with Central Arkansas having won the first matchup in 1997. None of the current Sugar Bears on the roster were alive for the first meeting between the teams.
 
Alabama A&M has subjected itself to a brutal nonconference schedule, and it shows in the 1-8 record that the Lady Bulldogs have compiled. Most recently, Alabama A&M faced a third SEC opponent this season in Vanderbilt, falling 76-46 to the Commodores. After trailing by just six points after the first quarter, the Lady Bulldogs gave up a double-digit difference in the second, and the lead snowballed from there. Amani Free led the way with 15 points, one of two Lady Bulldogs to reach the double-digit mark.
 
Toni Grace leads the team in scoring, the lone Lady Bulldog averaging double-figures at 10.1 points per contest. Earlier in the season, Grace scored a season-best 24 points against Samford, shooting 8-of-12 from the field while adding a three-pointer and seven free throws. She is one of five players at Alabama A&M to average at least five points per game this season. Yet the defensive side of the ball is where the Lady Bulldogs have struggled this season, giving up 69 points per game while allowing opponents to shoot 48.8 percent inside the three-point line.
 
Thursday's game tips off at 1 p.m., and will be broadcast on ESPN+, with live stats available here. Fans can also follow the action on the radio at 91.3 The Bear.