The UCA women’s basketball team (3-2) went head to head with the Lindenwood Lions (0-5) on Nov. 15, earning its first victory of the season.
“I’m very happy we got to win on our home court, winning builds confidence,” Coach Sandra Rushing said.
Lindenwood quickly took control of the court at the start of the game, senior guard Emily Benzschawel scoring the first three-pointer of the night only 25 seconds into the game.
The Sugar Bears fired back nearly a minute later with a layup by sophomore guard Kinley Fisher.
UCA was able to take the lead following two layups by junior forwards Kyjai Miles and Kierra Prim, Lindenwood responding with its second three-pointer, shot by freshman forward Brooke Woodyard.
The tie was broken with a layup by graduate student guard Masyn McWilliams as the Lions began to push back the Sugar Bears’ defense.
With three and a half minutes left in the first quarter, Benzschawel scored her second three-pointer with a fast break.
The Sugar Bears tried to make a comeback with a jump shot from senior guard Kayla Mitchell but were unable to reach the Lions, the first quarter ending at 15-10 for Lindenwood.
14 seconds into the second quarter, Prim closed the gap further for UCA, scoring two points with a jump shot in the paint.
UCA freshman guard Parris Atkins (left) dribbles the ball ahead of Lindenwood senior guard Emily Benzschawel.
Lindenwood looked to push the Sugar Bears back once again with a layup by sophomore guard Mary McGrath, UCA answered with a layup of its own by senior guard Jenny Peake.
The game went scoreless for over two minutes until Benzschawel scored her third three-pointer of the match, 20-16.
The Lions continued to press onward following a fast break layup from McWilliams.
The Bears dashed their way to a three-point difference after a layup by Prim and a free throw from senior guard Siera Carter, only to be disappointed when Benzschawel bagged her fourth three-pointer of the night.
Carter gave the Sugar Bears their first three-pointer of the night with two and a half minutes left in the game, the first half coming to a close with Lindenwood still in the lead, 29-22.
UCA took the first two points of the third quarter with a layup from Miles, the game went silent until Prim made a jump shot in the paint.
Prim followed this up only 14 seconds later with a fast break layup, putting the Sugar Bears one point behind the Lions.
Lindenwood continued to keep the lead with a three-pointer from McWilliams.
After two jump shots by Carter, the Sugar Bears took a two-point lead with a layup by Prim.
UCA took a six-point lead with nearly a minute and a half left, Prim landing yet another layup.
The third quarter ended with two free throws by Prim, 40-35.
“I just feel like I helped my team defensively and offensively. I would say that the most important thing to me is helping my team out, so by rebounding I help my team, by shutting down number five I help my team, so that’s just very important to me,” Prim said.
The Sugar Bears opened the fourth quarter with a layup in the paint by Carter, the Lions countering with a layup by McGrath.
The teams continued to trade off the ball for over two minutes until Benzschawel scored two points with a jump shot.
UCA continued to switch between a three to five-point lead when sophomore guard Randrea Wright made a three-pointer, bumping the team ahead by six points.
Freshman guard Parris Atkins drove the Sugar Bears past 50 points with a layup in the paint, the Lions stuck at 41.
With 40 seconds left in the game, Carter scored the final two points with a pair of free throws.
UCA ended its first home game triumphant, 55-43.
Coach Rushing said, “I had a group in there that I felt really responded and listened well, and they played hard.”
The Sugar Bears’ next matchup will be against the Little Rock Trojans on Dec. 3.