The Sugar Bears (7-13, 2-7 ASUN) defeated the Kennesaw State Owls (9-11, 5-4 ASUN) 59-55 on their home turf in Georgia this past Saturday, ending UCA’s five game losing streak.

UCA may have held the lead for most of the game but the Owls were hot on their heels, usually within 10 points of the Sugar Bears, even taking the lead in the fourth quarter with less than five minutes remaining in the game.

With a minute and 48 to go, senior guard Siera Carter scored and took the lead back for the bears. Then she did it again and landed two free throws after that to bring her to a career-high 15 points for the game. 

“I thought the game went really well for us, our defense has always been our strong side and tonight it really showed,” Carter said.

The Sugar Bears started strong, with sophomore guard Kinley Fisher sinking a three-point shot. UCA ended the first quarter with a six-point lead over the Owls.

The Sugar Bears continued to hold the lead in the second and third quarters, their strong defense making sure Kennesaw State never got too close to the lead until the aforementioned fourth quarter.

“In the fourth, things got a little exciting, a little intense, but our girls stepped up and hit free throws when we needed them to,” coach Tiffany Phillips said. “Our defense won that game for us.” 

The Sugar Bears will face off against the University of North Alabama next at 7 p.m., on Feb. 2 at the Farris Center.