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FLORENCE, Ala. _ If Wednesday night's rematch between the University of Central Arkansas Bears and the North Alabama Lions is anything like the first one, it will be nothing if not entertaining.

UCA beat UNA 89-88 in overtime back on Jan. 15 at the Farris Center in Conway. The Bears (now 9-18, 6-8) had five players in double figures, including two with at least 20 points. Junior forward Darious Hall had 25 points and 13 rebounds, while freshman point guard Camren Hunter had 21 points and 5 rebounds. 

The Lions (8-9-18, 2-12) countered with four players with at least 16 points, led by Will Soucie with 23 and Jamari Blackmon with 18. 

Neither team shot well from the perimeter, with the Bears making 6 of 23 (26.1 percent) and the Lions even worse at 4 of 21 (19 percent).  However, the teams combined to shoot a whopping 72 free throws off a combined 56 personal fouls. UCA was 29 of 38 at the line while UNA was 28 of 34.

The overall statistics were remarkably similar. UCA made 27 field goals to UNA' 28. UCA made 6 three-pointers to UNA's 4. UCA made 29 free throws to UNA's 28. Rebounds went to UCA by a slim 45-42 margin. The Lions had 15 turnovers to UCA's 13.

The Bears are coming off a solid effort in a loss to East Division leader Liberty on Monday night, with a quick turnaround to travel and play on Wednesday. The Bears were within four points of the Flames with nine minutes to play before losing 85-66. UCA had four players in double figures, led by 17 points from sophomore Collin Cooper, who was 4 of 9 from three-point range.

UNA dropped a 75-72 decision against Lipscomb on Saturday in its last outing. The Lions have lost six consecutive games, but mostly by close final margins. Four of the six losses have been by an average of 4.2 points.

UNA is led by guard Daniel Ortiz, who averages 12.8 points per game. He had a poor shooting night in Conway, going 1 of 11 from three-point range and 6 of 25 overall. Damian Forrsst is one of the top rebounders in the league, averaging 5.7 per game.

 UCA last played in Florence in 2006 when both teams were part of the Gulf South Conference at the NCAA Division II level.

The Bears will close out the regular season on Saturday at Lipscomb before returning home to host a first-round game in the 2022 ASUN Tournament on Tuesday night at 6 p.m. The Bears are assured of either the third or fourth seed from the West Division, and will host either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed from the East Division, either Stetson, North Florida or Kennesaw State.