LITTLE ROCK — The Central Arkansas women’s basketball team lost its first Southland Conference game Thursday night, 64-48, to Sam Houston State at Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville, Texas.

UCA (11-5, 4-1 Southland) shot 30.8 percent from the floor and 28.6 percent from three-point range.

The Sugar Bears entered the game shooting better than 48 percent in conference play but struggled in the first half against the Bearkats (8-9, 4-1) as they shot just 28.1 percent from the floor while Sam Houston State shot 48.1 percent in building a 35-23 halftime lead.

The second half started off better for the Sugar Bears as they trimmed their deficit to five points on three occasions, but the Bearkats closed with a 15-4 run over the final 7:25 to deal UCA its third consecutive loss in Johnson Coliseum.

Sam Houston State shot 43.4 percent for the game, well above its season average of 36.9 percent, and the Bearkats were 41.7 percent from threepoint range. They hit 81.3 percent from the free-throw line, making 13 of 16, while the Sugar Bears were just 4 for 8.

Megan Herbert, the Southland’s career record holder for made free throws, did not attempt a free throw. She finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds, moving into sixth in Southland Conference history in career points and fourth in rebounds.

Courtney Duever had 14 points and five rebounds for the Sugar Bears, while Desiree’ Rogers added 8 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals off the bench.

Britni Martin, a first-team preseason All-Southland selection, led all scorers with 18 points. Chanice Smith had 15 points and five rebounds.

The Sugar Bears will travel Saturday to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Sports, Pages 22 on 01/18/2013