CONWAY, Ark. – The Central Arkansas women's basketball team opens its four-game road swing to close out the semester at Little Rock Saturday night, playing in the Governor's I-40 Showdown. Tip-off against the Trojans is set for 6 p.m.
The Sugar Bears (6-2) have won five-straight games after winning their home non-conference finale against Hendrix to start the month. And on an uncharacteristic night where shots weren't falling at the Farris Center, the defense was locked in the entire night, tallying 24 steals and five blocks, holding the Warriors to 25 percent shooting from the floor.
Central Arkansas continues to play balanced on both sides of the ball: three players (
Shae Littleford – 15.6 ppg,
Bree Stephens – 12.5 ppg and
Cheyanne Kemp – 11.9 ppg) are averaging double-figure scoring, six players have ten or more assists, and five players have hit at least a dozen three-pointers. Defensively, nine players have five or more steals, and five players are averaging two or more defensive rebounds.
Last time the Sugar Bears and Trojans faced off, it was a low-scoring affair that saw Central Arkansas pull away in the fourth quarter. Leading 36-35 after three, Central Arkansas outscored the Trojans 19-7 in the final frame.
Little Rock is 2-5 this season, with wins over CBC and San Diego. Last time out, though, it was a 62-55 loss to UT Arlington, a game that saw the Trojans slip away a little bit at a time through each quarter. Jordan Holman led the way with 23 points on 19 shots, adding three rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks. But 18 turnovers by the Trojans spotted UT Arlington 18 points, and a ten free throw disadvantage made it difficult to get back into the game.
Holman has been the key scorer on offense for Little Rock. She's the only player on the team averaging double-figures, and her 18.3 points are more than double the next closest player, in Brenna Burk's 7.9 points per game. Holman also leads the team in rebounding (5.6 rpg), steals (17) and blocks (8).
The Sugar Bears and Trojans tip-off at 6 p.m. in Little Rock. The game will be streamed on ESPN+, with live stats available online. Fans can also follow all the action on 91.3 The Bear, with Steve Owens on the call.
