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University of Central Arkansas Athletics

University of Central Arkansas
cam hunter EKU 2023
Steve East

Men's Basketball

BEARS TO FACE LIONS BACK TO BACK



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CONWAY, Ark. _ The scouting report for the University of Central Arkansas Bears for this week's two ASUN Conference games should be easy as the Bears face the same team in back-to-back games.

UCA hosts the North Alabama Lions at 7 p.m. Wednesday night in their first game in the Farris Center since Jan. 5. The Bears will then travel to Florence, Ala., for  a 7:15 matchup on Saturday at Flowers Hall.

The Bears swept the two meetings last season, the first as ASUN competitors. The Lions lead the overall series 6-3, with the majority of those games coming during the Division II era when both teams competed in the Gulf South Conference.

UCA (6-13, 1-5)  is returning to the Farris Center for the first time since Jan. 5 following three road ASUN games. The Bears recorded their first conference victory last Thursday at Queens, winning 92-91 on the strength of 15 three-pointers and a 33-point performance from sophomore guard Camren Hunter.

The Lions (9-10, 1-5) have lost five consecutive games, including an overtime loss against Stetson at home. UNA's lone conference win was a 66-62 victory over rival Jacksonville (Ala.) State in the league opener on Dec. 30.

Both of last year's meetings were close, with UCA winning the first matchup 89-88 in overtime at the Farris Center. The teams combined to shoot 72 free throws and were called for a combined 56 personal fouls, with three players fouling out of the game. UCA made two three-pointers and went 5 of 7 from the free-throw line to secure the win. Darious Hall and Jared Chatham both had double-doubles for the Bears, while Hunter added 21 points. UCA trailed by 10 at halftime of that game after shooting 31 percent in the opening half.

In the rematch in Florence, UCA got 24 points and 12 rebounds from Hunter, who shot 10 of 13 from the field and 3 of 5 from three-point range. Eddy Kayouloud added 21 points and 9 rebounds and UCA dominated the boards with a 42-34 rebound advantage. Daniel Ortiz led the Lions with 31 points but took 28 shots overall with 14 three-point attempts. UNA shot just 38.5 percent on their home floor.

Hunter, a sophomore guard from Bryant, Ark., leads the Bears in scoring, averaging 17.1 points per game, He is also the Bears' assist leader at 3.8 per game. UNA is led by Ortiz, who averages 11.6 points per game, one of three Lions who average at least 10 points. Ortiz has made 48 three-pointers this season and shoots 41.7 percent from beyond the arc.

UCA played without two starters and two key reserves against Liberty on Saturday due to injuries and sickness, and could be missing players on Thursday as well.

The game will be carried live on The Bear 91.3, 92.7 Jack FM and ESPN+.


 
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Players Mentioned

Jared Chatham

#24 Jared Chatham

F
6' 8"
Senior
Darious  Hall

#4 Darious Hall

G/F
6' 7"
Junior
Camren Hunter

#23 Camren Hunter

G
6' 3"
Sophomore
Eddy Kayouloud

#13 Eddy Kayouloud

G/F
6' 7"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Jared Chatham

#24 Jared Chatham

6' 8"
Senior
F
Darious  Hall

#4 Darious Hall

6' 7"
Junior
G/F
Camren Hunter

#23 Camren Hunter

6' 3"
Sophomore
G
Eddy Kayouloud

#13 Eddy Kayouloud

6' 7"
Senior
G/F

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