Kendara Watts scored 17 points as the University of Central Arkansas pulled away in the second half for a 62-36 victory at Alcorn State on Tuesday in Lorman, Miss.
After trailing most of the first half, the Sugar Bears (3-3) grabbed the lead with five minutes left in the half with eight consecutive free throws, taking a 30-21 lead into the locker room at the half. The Sugar Bears then held the Lady Braves (0-5) to 16.1 percent shooting from the field in the second half to take control, improving to 3-0 all-time against Alcorn State.
"We're happy with every win we get," UCA Coach Sandra Rushing said. "We have to celebrate them all. We came out lackadaisical early and they kept doing whatever they wanted to. Thank goodness they didn't shoot it very well, because they got their looks.
"We need to do a better job of executing our offense. We didn't set very good screens, and part of the time it looked like we weren't sure of what we're running. But there were some positive things, and I'm happy with a win on the road."
The 36 points was the lowest total allowed this season by the Sugar Bears, who have held three of their past four opponents to 45 points or less. The 26-point margin is also the Sugar Bears' largest since a 62-30 victory over New Orleans on February 8.
After shooting just 54.5 percent from the free-throw line in Saturday's loss to Jacksonville State, the Sugar Bears bounced back Tuesday by making 24 of 26 attempts (92.3 percent).
Although UCA shot just 29 percent in the first half, the Sugar Bears improved to 40 percent in the second half as they outscored the Lady Braves 32-15 after the break. Both teams struggled from the perimeter, with the Sugar Bears hitting 4 of 19 from three-point range (21.1 percent) and the Lady Braves just 1 of 11 (9.1 percent).
Brianna Mullins added 14 points, all in the second half, to go with a team-high 8 rebounds and 2 assists. Maggie Proffitt added 12 points for UCA.
Henrietta Wells had 9 points to lead Alcorn State.
SWAC MEN
AKRON 81, UAPB 60
Kwan Cheatham Jr. scored 17 points to lead five Akron players with 10 or more points as the Zips (5-2) earned a come-from-behind victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-6) at James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio.
Cheatham had 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocked shots to go with his points. Deji Ibitayo followed with 13 points, while Reggie McAdams, Nyles Evans and Pat Forsythe added 11 each.
Akron trailed by three at halftime but used a second-half run to win its third consecutive home game this season and sixth consecutive dating to last season.
Marcel Mosley and JoVaughn Love scored 20 points each to lead UAPB.
TOP 25/SWAC WOMEN
NO. 20 OKLAHOMA STATE 90, ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF 45
Liz Donohoe scored 15 points, three others had 13 apiece, and No. 20 Oklahoma State (6-1) routed Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-4) in Stillwater, Okla. Brittney Martin was 6 of 6 from the floor, Brittany Atkins made 3 three-pointers, and Roshunda Johnson added nine assists to go with her 13 points for the Cowgirls (6-1). Oklahoma State scored the first eight points of the game and built a 48-20 lead going into intermission. UAPB was led by Ajia Richardson with 13 points and seven rebounds. Jazmyne Victorian had 10 points, despite going 4 of 14 from the floor.
Sports on 12/03/2014