CONWAY, Ark. – Leading after the halftime break, Central Arkansas women's basketball fell behind in the second half, eventually falling to Stetson 63-45 on Saturday. The Sugar Bears fall to 8-13 on the year, including a 3-7 ASUN record.
 
Carley Hudspeth led the team in scoring, splashing home three shots from beyond the arc, tying a season-high. Lucy Ibeh was aggressive on the glass as always, pulling in 15 rebounds. It marked the third time this season the junior forward had 15 or more boards.
 
Central Arkansas opened the game with an abundance of energy, attacking the offensive glass despite struggling to get shots to fall. After a defensive stop on the opening possession, Hudspeth knocked down her first three-pointer of the game. Ibeh had six rebounds by the first media timeout, inhaling rebounds at a greater pace than the Hatters. Defensively, Central Arkansas repeatedly held Stetson to one shot and done, holding an opponent to single-digit points in a quarter for the 16^th time this season, leading 10-7 after the first quarter.
 
The defense continued to stay effective in the second quarter, holding Stetson to just one offensive rebound while forcing four turnovers in the period. Working around their own miscues, the Sugar Bears shot 6-of-9 from the floor, knocking down both free throws. Savanna Walker hit a pair of midrange jumpers, helping Central Arkansas hold a three-point lead at halftime, 24-21. Stetson was held to just 32 percent shooting, while the Sugar Bears secured eight offensive rebounds in the half.
 
Out of the break, the Hatters finally found a groove on offense. After shooting 32 percent in the first half, the Hatters found 14 points in the paint in the third, shooting 60 percent for the period. The Sugar Bears, on the other hand, couldn't take the lid off of the basket, surrendering the lead in the quarter.
 
It was a case of too little, too late in the fourth quarter. Though the Sugar Bears were able to create some offense, including three shots from beyond the arc, the deficit had grown too much to overcome.
 
The Sugar Bears outrebounded the Hatters, marking the 13^th time this season that Central Arkansas has had more rebounds than its opponent. It was also the 10^th game with 15 or more offensive rebounds for the Sugar Bears.
 
Central Arkansas is back on the road for the next couple of games, heading to Kennesaw, Ga., for the next one. Game time against the Owls is set for 4 p.m. CT.