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CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears are back at the Farris Center for a pair of games this week, beginning with a 7:30 p.m matchup with the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles on Thursday.
UCA is coming off a 92-87 win over defending Atlantic Sun Conference champion Kennesaw State last Saturday at the Farris Center. UCA made 9 of 10 at the free-throw line in the final 30 seconds to hold off the Owls. With the win, the Bears improved to 4-3 in conference play. Freshman
Tucker Anderson scored 19 points and graduate
Daniel Sofield added 18. UCA shot 25 of 30 (83.3 percent) from the free-throw line and had a season-low seven turnovers.
The Eagles (9-13, 3-4) beat Austin Peay 73-67 on Saturday at home at Alico Arena. FGCU has won just two of its last six games and is 1-7 on the road.Â
The teams will be meeting for the fourth time, and the only time this season. FGCU leads the series 2-1, with both victories coming in overtime. UCA got its victory last season by four points in Fort Myers as both teams won on the road a year ago.
In the first game last year at the Farris Center, FGCU hit 12 three-pointers and outscored UCA 9-4 in overtime. The Bears lost despite having five players in double figures. UCA was just 12 of 21 at the free-throw line while FGCU was 14 of 23, but the Eagles made 7 of 8 in the the extra period.Â
In the rematch in Fort Myers,
Eddy Kayouloud scored 32 points and had 11 rebounds to lead the Bears, who outscored the Eagles 49-22 in the second half by shooting 52.9 percent from the field. UCA had 13 three-pointers (4 of 7 from
Elias Cato) and FGCU made 14 (6 by Chase Johnston and Isaiah Thompson).
Thompson is FGCU's leading scorer this season at 13.5 points per game. Keeshawn Kellman is the top rebounder (6.9) and also shoots 71.6 percent from the field.
The game, which follows the Sugar Bears' game at approximately 7:30, will be carried live on ESPN+, The Bear 91.3 and 92.7 Jack FM.