CONWAY, Ark. — Despite a strong offensive showing and four players hitting above .290, the University of Central Arkansas Sugar Bears came up just short in a hard-fought five-set loss (20-25, 25-17, 25-17, 22-25, 12-15) to the Bellarmine Knights on Friday evening at the Prince Center.

The Sugar Bears (10-9, 7-2 ASUN) while Bellarmine (10-11, 4-5 ASUN) picked up its fourth league win of the season.

UCA was led by Laci Bohannan, who notched 16 kills to go along with three aces, three blocks, and 10 digs for a team-best 20.5 points. Gabby Tuiaana added 14 kills on a strong .294 hitting percentage, while Greyson Button and McKinzee Haas combined for 14 more kills and 14 total blocks.

Setter Caylan Koons guided the offense with 47 assists, adding seven digs and four block assists. Defensively, Alexis McDaniel anchored the back row with 24 digs, while Bohannan and Cameron McDaniel each chipped in double-digit digs.

As a team, the Sugar Bears hit .247, totaled 51 kills, and out-blocked Bellarmine 14 to 9, but the Knights capitalized on key runs late in the fourth and fifth sets to secure the win. 

Bellarmine was paced by Natalie Bland's 18 kills and Mya White's 14 kills, as the Knights hit .131 on the night and tallied 15 service aces to swing momentum in their favor.

The Sugar Bears will look to bounce back when they continue ASUN play on Sunday, hosting Eastern Kentucky at the Prince Center for Pink Out. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.