The University of Central Arkansas Men’s Basketball team used a 36-11 first-half run to cruise to a 98-69 home victory over the University of North Florida Ospreys Jan. 17.

The Bears defeated the Ospreys on both ends of the floor, as the Bears notched 21 fast-break points on 14 turnovers.

UCA was particularly dominant inside the paint, outscoring UNF 40-22.  

The final score marked the Bears’ largest margin of victory since joining the Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Conference in 2021, and the largest in any conference game since Central Arkansas defeated New Orleans University with a score of 112-77 on Feb. 6, 2016. 

The win also gave Bears their fourth conference victory of the season, already tying their total from the previous season with 12 games left to play this season. 

Senior guard Camren Hunter led the charge for the Bears as he matched his season-high of 26 points – which he scored against Samford University. 

Hunter finished the game shooting 9-12 from the field, including going 5-7 from the three-point line and 3-5 from the free throw line.

Shulman praised the scoring output from Hunter, noting that he is usually the primary target for the opponents’ defense. 

Shulman said, “When you’re the first guy on a scouting report, and you’re still putting up points… everybody we play puts an emphasis on Cam, so when he’s still able to score that much, it’s pretty impressive.”

Shulman said he was even more pleased with the defensive showing his team put forth – especially in the first half. The Ospreys were held to just 28 percent shooting from the field in the first stanza and turned the ball over seven times.

Shulman said, “The first 20 minutes we were amazing defensively… [North Florida] scored 105 points at [The University of North Alabama] on Thursday night, and they had 23 points at half.”

The Bears also won the rebounding battle for the game 40-35.

Things somewhat improved for North Florida in the second half, but not enough to make up any real ground.

Hunter’s 28-foot three-pointer with 11:54 left in the game put UCA up 79-37, effectively ending any hopes the Ospreys had.

In addition to Hunter, UCA had six players finish in double-figures, including freshman guard Harry Beauchamp, who scored 14 points and freshman guard Ty Robinson, who chipped in with 12 points.

After leading the Bears with a career high 19 points in the win over Jacksonville University on Thursday, January 15, freshman guard Luke Moore also had a solid all-around performance, totaling seven points, eight rebounds, and five assists. 

With the win, UCA improved their record to 9-10 overall, and, more importantly, 4-2 in conference play. 

The Bears currently find themselves in third-place in the ASUN standings, behind Queens University at 6-0 and Lipscomb and Austin-Peay, who are tied for second place at 5-1.

Next up, the Bears go on the road to face West Georgia (9-9, ASUN 3-3), on Thursday, January 22, at 6:00 for the first of what will be a season-long three game road trip. 

All UCA basketball games can be streamed on ESPN+.