CONWAY, Ark. – The first road game of the season is upon the Central Arkansas women's basketball team, as the Sugar Bears head to Samford on Saturday. Tipping off at 2 p.m., the Sugar Bears and Bulldogs battle for the first time in program history.
 
Central Arkansas opened the season on a bright note on Monday, defeating Hendrix by a final score of 85-25. Jade Upshaw and Randrea Wright led the way with 14 points apiece, two of four Sugar Bears to score in double-figures. The 85 points, along with seven three-pointers, were both the most in a game for Central Arkansas since 2019. The Sugar Bears were also all over the place defensively, forcing 27 turnovers from the Warriors, 17 of which were live-ball steals. Upshaw and Jenna Rose Mafua were each responsible for five swipes.
 
It was a successful debut for head coach Tony Kemper, who now hits the road for his first away game at the helm. And while the Sugar Bears were 2-12 on the road last year, Kemper led the Thundering Herd to an 8-8 record away from home, winning in six different states.
 
Samford opened their season with a 78-51 win over Auburn-Montgomery, with Carly Heidger leading the way with 19 points off the bench. Heidger shot 6-of-7 from the floor, knocking down all three of her three-pointers and adding four free throws to score her 19 points in just 19 minutes. She was one of two players to score in double-figures, with Emily Bowman adding 16.
 
The Bulldogs added six new players to a roster of 12, and return sophomore guard Masyn Marchbanks, who was the lone representative on the Southern Conference's preseason team. She scored in double-figures in 12 games a year ago, including a career-best 22 points twice. She is joined by sharpshooter Alyssa Tarpley, who was second on the team with 35 three-pointers.
 
Tipoff against the Bulldogs is set for 2 p.m. in Birmingham, Ala. The game will be streamed on ESPN+, with live stats available online.