CONWAY, Ark. – Central Arkansas (17-7, 13-2 ASUN) has one more game at home for the regular season, hosting West Georgia for Senior Day on Saturday. The Sugar Bears will celebrate the accomplishments of their six seniors prior to Saturday's 1 p.m. tip-off.
The six seniors being honored before the game are
Cheyenne Banks,
Kinley Fisher,
Leah Mafua,
Bree Stephens,
Jade Upshaw and
Randrea Wright. The group, mostly assembled last year with the arrival of head coach
Tony Kemper, has developed into one of the most fearsome groups in the ASUN, winning 40 games over the last two years, and finishing third and second in the conference. They've been excellent at home, going 25-2 in the Farris Center entering Saturday's game, with only one loss each season. Last year, they competed for an ASUN Championship by reaching the ASUN Final in just the third season in the conference, and have already locked up the No. 2 seed this season.
Between the six, they have totaled nearly 4,000 points since donning the Purple and Gray, and have climbed plenty of lists in the record books, hitting three-pointers in bunches and blocking shots into the stands over the last two seasons.
The Sugar Bears host West Georgia with a chance to reach 20 wins for the second-straight season, which would be the first time since 2016-18 that the Sugar Bears have won 20-plus games in back-to-back seasons. This season, 13 have been in ASUN games, including a road game against West Georgia back in January. The third of three-straight, one-possession wins on the road, the Sugar Bears held on to defeat the Wolves, in large part to the defense of Stephens. She had 12 rebounds, five blocks and four steals, including a game-sealing block with just over a second left to clinch the game.
Since that meeting, West Georgia has moved to 11-15 overall and 5-10 in ASUN games, needing just one more win to clinch the final spot in the ASUN Championships. The Wolves had a chance on Thursday with a home game against Stetson, but fell by 10 after dropping the fourth quarter 21-11. The Wolves had three players in double-figures, led by Sydne Tolbert's 14 points.
With the year almost wound down, two West Georgia players have averaged double-digit scoring on the year, with Zuriyah Davis averaging 13.1 points and Destiny Jones averaging 11.2 points per game. The duo bring a one-two punch to the Wolves, with Davis being the team's best outside shooter, and Jones scoring primarily in the paint and at the free throw line. In the last meeting, Jones had 12 points and 12 boards, while Davis had 11 points on a team-best three triples.
Tip-off against the Wolves is set for 1 p.m., with Senior Day celebrations shortly before the jump. The game will be streamed on ESPN+, with live stats available online. Fans can also keep up with the action on 91.3 The Bear, with Steve Owens on the call.