HOUSTON – HBU used a stifling defense and a monster game from senior forward
Shanice Steenholdt to defeat visiting Central Arkansas, 58-37, Thursday night from Sharp Gym.
The win not only snapped the Huskies' five-game losing streak on the season, but also halted a four-game winning streak for UCA in the season series. HBU won the series opener, 66-61, Dec. 29, 2008 in Houston before the Sugar Bears won four straight, including two games last season.
The 37 points are the lowest allowed by the Huskies since giving up 36 points to Huston-Tillotson last month. The 28 percent shooting (11-of-40) was the second-lowest on the season allowed by the Huskies and the lowest against a Division I opponent.
Steenholdt led the way for HBU (7-9 overall, 1-4 SLC), as she registered game highs of 25 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks, while tying the game high of three assists and two steals. She shot 9-of-22 from the floor and made all seven free throw attempts.
Anna Strickland nearly earned a double-double, as she finished with eight points and nine rebounds.
Tayler Jefferson came off the bench to score seven points.
Brianna Mullins led UCA (9-8 overall, 2-3 SLC) with 11 points, while Maggie Proffitt added nine. Jameka Watkins was the top rebounder with four.
UCA did not score a field goal until the 12:15-mark of the opening half, as Brittany Agee's jumper made the score 6-3 in favor of HBU.
The Sugar Bears came as close as two, 15-13, before HBU used a 13-3 run in the final 6:58 of the first half to lead UCA by 12 at halftime, 28-16.
Steenholdt nearly had a double-double at halftime, as she led all players with 13 points and eight rebounds. Strickland had six points and seven boards. Watts led the Sugar Bears with five points. HBU shot 37 percent from the floor, compared to 27 percent for UCA.
UCA started the second half scoring four points and forcing an HBU turnover, prompting the Huskies to take an early timeout with the Huskies leading, 28-20, with 18:52 remaining in regulation.
The timeout worked wonders, as HBU used a 20-8 run in the next nine minutes to lead by 20, 48-28, with 9:29 to go in the game.
Proffitt tried to stop the bleeding and get UCA back into the game with a three-pointer at the top of the key to cut the deficit to 17, 50-33, but HBU scored six-straight points to take its largest lead of the game ,56-33, with six minutes to go. HBU never trailed by more than 19 the rest of the way.
Steenholdt scored 12 second-half points and pulled down four rebounds to lead all players.
Monet Neal came off the bench to score six points. The Huskies shot 48 percent in the half and 42 percent for the game. Mullins led the Sugar Bears with seven points, followed by Proffitt with six. UCA shot 28 percent in the half and in the contest.
HBU hosts New Orleans Saturday, Jan. 17 at 4 pm.
