CONWAY, Ark. _ A storied era in Central Arkansas women's head basketball ended Saturday when head coach Sandra Rushing stepped away from the program she has led for the past 11 years.

    Rushing finished with 184 career victories at UCA, the second-most in school history, and has won 587 games over her stellar 34-year head coaching career. Rushing took the Sugar Bears to the NCAA National Tournament twice in 2016 and 2017 and finished second in the 2018 WBI postseason tournament, falling at home to Yale.

    Rushing's teams won the Southland Conference regular season in 2016 and 2017, putting together a combined 54-9 record during that span. They set the UA NCAA Division I record with 28 victories in 2015-16, which tied the overall mark for single-season wins.

    "I want to thank UCA and Dr. (Brad) Teague for their support over the years," said Rushing. "I will always value the relationships formed at this university.  The last few years have been very challenging and stressful as I have been torn between my obligations here at UCA and my mom's health issues.

    "I feel it is time for me to step away and take care of my top priority. I wish nothing but the best for UCA and the Sugar Bears' program."

    Rushing, who played collegiately at Alabama and was a four-time SEC All-Academic selection, missed eight games this season, seven during ASUN play, while caring for her mother. UCA concluded its 2022-23 season this week.

    Rushing coached previously at Delta State, Henderson State, UTEP and Millsaps. At Delta State from 2002-12, Rushing was the league's Coach of the Year a record-setting six times and was named Coach of the Decade in 2010 while taking the Lady Statesmen to eight NCAA Tournaments, reaching the Final Four in consecutive years in 2008 and 2009.

    "I want to thank Coach Rushing for her many years of dedication to our program," said Teague, who also worked with Rushing at Delta State. "She took our program to new heights with her NCAA tournament appearances. She has been a head coach for 34 years and is someone I truly admire and respect. We are happy that she will be able to take better care of her mother now."
    
    UCA will begin an immediate search for a new head coach for the women's basketball program.