The UCA women’s basketball team extended its winning streak to nine games, defeating the Jacksonville Dolphins Thursday, Feb.6.
UCA senior guards Leah Mafua and Kinley Fisher helped lead the team to a convincing victory over the Dolphins (11-12, ASUN 5-6) by becoming the first duo to score over 20 points each since 2018.
Senior guard Jade Upshaw described the feeling going into and during the game while helping the Sugar Bears (16-6, ASUN 10-1) secure the victory.
Senior guard Jade Upshaw said, “I was most proud of our ability to find a way to win and play through adversity. Jacksonville was a team we hadn’t seen since the beginning of conference and we knew they had improved since then. Our ability to understand that it wasn’t going to be the same game and it was going to be tough was awesome on our end. It’s always tough to win on the road but we’ve consistently been getting it done lately.”
A full team effort on offense and defense is what it took to ultimately get the win against the Dolphins.
“My West Georgia performance was better than Jacksonville, “ Upshaw said. “I’ve been in a shooting slump, but the amazing thing about this team is that if I’m not on, it usually doesn’t phase us too much. We have a team full of weapons that step up when it’s time.”
Mafua’s 24-point total and clutch from the three-point line is what kept the Sugar Bears in front going into the fourth quarter.
“I’m most proud of Leah Mafua,” Upshaw said. “She has been playing very hard and very well. She’s an exceptional person and teammate. I’m so happy she’s flourishing.”
UCA coach Tony Kemper said that he is proud of the team’s overall effort and how everyone was able to stay focused throughout the game.
“It’s always difficult to win on the road and this marks our fifth in a row,” Kemper said. “I am pleased with our consistent effort and focus throughout this run.”
“This was a tough, physical game just like the first one at our place,” Kemper said. “We knew that we would have to play a good game defensively, especially on Edyn Battle and our student-athletes delivered.”
With the Sugar Bears now winning nine straight games, Kemper said that he looks to continue this momentum with every game moving forward.
“This group is trying to position themselves to have a chance to win our league. They are doing a great job of taking it one game at a time,” Kemper said.
The win over Jacksonville clinched the Sugar Bears a spot in the ASUN championship, as UCA now looks to get the top overall seed in the conference.
UCA extended its winning streak once more on the road against the University of North Florida Ospreys on Saturday, Feb. 6, 72-59.
The Sugar Bears will return to the Farris Center to take on the University of North Alabama Lions at 6:30 p.m., Feb. 12.