KATY, Texas - The early lead for HBU women's basketball wasn't enough after a third period surge from No. 5 seed Central Arkansas as the 56-51 win ended the trip at the Southland Conference Tournament in Katy, Texas for the No. 8 seeded Huskies on Thursday afternoon.
Timia Jefferson opened game three of the tournament with a drive-in layup to set HBU on their way to a first half lead. After a N'Denasija Collins jumper, Central Arkansas calls a timeout with after just two minutes of game time. Julija Vujakovic took a fast break layup from a UCA turnover for the final shot of the first period, with the Huskies leading 10-9. The Huskies push six forcing UCA into another timeout after the first two minutes. A Briana Trigg layup wasn't enough with a Vujakovic three to put the Huskies up eight. Both teams exchanged points back and forth, but the Sugar Bears couldn't make it on top as the teams went into the locker rooms with a 23-19 HBU lead at halftime.
The Sugar Bears stormed out of the half grabbing their first lead since the start of the game. With Marilyn Nzoiwu working in the paint, and a couple Kennedy Wilson free throws, the game was tied 31-31 with a little over five minutes left in the period. Terry Crawford posted up a shot to send Central Arkansas on a 6-0 run and even with a couple HBU free throws, the Sugar Bears got their largest lead of the game with eight. Jefferson added a couple of free throws to end the third, and the Huskies the UCA lead down to just one to begin the final ten. The Sugar Bears controlled the remainder of the game and were up by six with just 30 seconds remaining. After one last full HBU timeout, Central Arkansas was able to capture the ticket to the next round with the 56-51 victory.
Julija Vujakovic led the team for the second time in post season with 15 points and six boards. Timia Jefferson never broke her double figure streak this season with 14 points and added three steals. Kennedy Wilson contributed eight points on the game while both Marilyn Nzoiwu and Abbey Sutherland posted six points and six rebounds each.
The Huskies shot 37.3 percent (19-of-51) from the field while Central Arkansas shot 44.7 percent (21-of-47). HBU shot 80 percent from the line going 12-for-15 while the Bears went 14-for-22 with only 63.6 percent. The Sugar Bears outrebound the Huskies 37-28, but the Huskies were able to score 10 second chance points and 15 points of 16 UCA turnover compared to HBU 10.
