CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears were held to just five hits Friday night in a 7-3 loss to the Lipscomb Bisons in their ASUN series opener at Bear Stadium.

The Bisons (17-27), who entered one game ahead of the Bears in the ASUN standings, improved to 12-10 in league play, while the Bears (20-23) dropped to 10-12 after breaking a seven-game winning streak.

The Bisons scored twice in the second inning on four singles but UCA matched that with a pair of runs in the third. Freshman left fielder Zeb Allen had an RBI triple over the center fielder's head and eventually scored on a Lipscomb error to tie it at 2-2.

Lipscomb then added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, and finally put the game away with a three-run ninth, including a three-run home run by Alex Vergara that made it 7-2. The Bears scratched out a two-out run in the bottom of the ninth when shortstop Mason King beat out an infield single to short to score catcher Casey Shipley. But the Bisons' Collin Witzke got the final out on a fielder's choice to end it.

Lipscomb had 11 hits, and just two extra-base hits, with four players getting two hits apiece. King was the only Bear with multiple hits, going 2 for 3. UCA starter Jesse Barker struck out eight over eight innings and allowed 6 hits and 3 earned runs. 

Lipscomb starter Alex Brewer picked up his fourth victory of the season.

The teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday.