Sugar Bears Rout Philander Smith 91-36

Courtesy UCA Athletics Department

CONWAY — The UCA Sugar Bears concluded its non-conference slate with an easy victory on Saturday, soundly defeating Philander Smith 91-36 in the Farris Center in the final game before opening Southland Conference play Thursday.

The Sugar Bears (7-4) jumped on the Lady Panthers early with their highest-scoring output in a half this season, holding a 57-13 advantage at halftime. With the reserves in for most of the second half, UCA was able to extend its lead by outscoring PSC 34-23 and move its all-time record to 15-0 against the Lady Panthers.

Five Sugar Bears scored in double figures, led by senior forward Megan Herbert’s 19. Junior center Courtney Duever recorded the seventh double-double of her career and fourth this season with 16 points and 10 rebounds in 15 minutes. Freshman forward Julia Mason had a career-high 13 points, her first double-figures scoring game at UCA, and senior guard Tracey Parsons was one off her career high with 13 as well. Parsons also led the way with six steals and added five assists in 27 minutes. Senior center Chantel Moss had 12 points, her third time in double figures this season.

In all, the Sugar Bears shot 49.3 percent from the field while holding the Lady Panthers to 15.2 percent shooting (10 of 66), including 7.1 percent (1 of 14) from 3-point range. PSC’s Jerricka Scott led all scorers with a game-high 21 points – most of it coming at the free throw line, where she was 15 of 20. Scott was the only Lady Panther to visit three free throw line. She also led all players with 12 rebounds.

The Sugar Bears will begin Southland Conference play on Thursday when they travel to Thibodaux, La. to face Nicholls State at 5:30 in a rematch from last season’s Southland Conference Tournament quarterfinal matchup, won 79-59 by the Lady Colonels. The opening week of conference play will conclude in Hammond, La. with UCA taking on Southeastern Louisiana next Saturday at 2 p.m.