SOUTHLAND WOMEN

Sugar Bears roar to victory on road

— Central Arkansas used a decisive second-half run to pull away from Louisiana-Monroe for a 62-49 victory at Fant-Ewing Coliseum on Thursday in Monroe, La.

The Sugar Bears (6-3) committed 15 turnovers and trailed by as many as nine points in the first half, but everything changed in the second half against the Warhawks (2-9).

UCA built a 21-point lead, outscoring Louisiana-Monroe 33-7 during one second-half stretch, to take control.

“I just think that we settled down,” UCA Coach Sandra Rushing said. “I’m very proud of the way we responded — when things could’ve gone the other way for us, we kept fighting. I felt like once we got focused we were able to get things done and our defense at times looked really, really good. I’m really, really proud of this team for getting this win on the road.”

The Sugar Bears trailed 24-23 at halftime and allowed the Warhawks to score the first four points of the second half to fall behind 28-23.

But Central Arkansas took control, holding Louisiana-Monroe to three baskets over the next 13:38.

UCA tied a season high by making seven three-pointers. Senior guard Micah Rice, in her first game back from a knee injury suffered in the Arkansas State game Dec. 8, scored 12 points making 4 of 7 three-point attempts. Rice had two blocks and four assists.

“I really think Micah was the difference tonight,” Rushing said. “She hadn’t really practiced in a week and a half, and came in and gave everything she’s got. And it was good to have her leadership out there on the floor. She settled us down and did a great job.”

Senior forward Megan Herbert was responsible for the Sugar Bears’ other 3 threepointers en route to a gamehigh 22 points. Herbert’s seven rebounds moved her past Genai Walker into the No. 2 spot on the UCA career rebounding list, needing 16 to break Carol Jones’ record total of 1,216. Herbert also tied a career high with four steals.

Sports, Pages 23 on 12/21/2012

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