CONWAY, Ark. – The Central Arkansas women's basketball team hosts a quarterfinal game of the ASUN Championships on Saturday, playing the winner of Friday's first round game between Jacksonville and Bellarmine. Tip-off on Saturday is set for 6:30 in the Farris Center.
 
The Sugar Bears (21-8, 15-3 ASUN) closed the regular season as the ASUN's No. 2 seed after winning two of the last three games of the regular season. Four Sugar Bears were honored for their exploits this season, with Kinley Fisher being named to the ASUN All-Academic Team, Bree Stephens being named the ASUN Defensive Player of the Year, and Jade Upshaw earning a First Team All-ASUN nod and Leah Mafua earning a Second Team spot.
 
Central Arkansas looks to advance in the ASUN Championship for the second-straight year, having reached the league final last season. Saturday will also mark the third ASUN Championship game that the Sugar Bears will host, having played two games in the Farris Center last season.
 
Both potential opponents are familiar to the Sugar Bears, having played both teams this season. Bellarmine represents one of the three ASUN losses this season, and was the first, but spurred a 12-game winning streak in response, spurring a refocused Sugar Bear team after a tough Christmas. On the other hand, Central Arkansas has beaten JU twice this season, once at home and once in Jacksonville. The Sugar Bears won both games by scoring 70-plus, and holding the Dolphins in the 60s.
 
The Sugar Bears had at least three double-digit scorers in each of the Jacksonville games, including one of Mafua's season-high 24-point outbursts. In the Farris Center, the Sugar Bears used a 24-8 first quarter to power ahead early, and got six blocks from Stephens.
 
Regardless of the outcome of Friday's game, tip-off on Saturday is set for 6:30 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+, with live stats available online. Fans will also be able to keep up with the action at 91.3 The Bear, with Steve Owens on the call.