Bears set new highs, still seek first victory

NORTHWESTERN (LA.) STATE 110,

CENTRAL ARKANSAS 108

Central Arkansas totaled season highs in points, field goals, three-pointers and free throws made Tuesday night.

But the Bears are still looking for their first victory.

Jalan West scored 28 points, Zeek Woodley scored 26 and Northwestern (La.) State outlasted UCA 110-108 on Tuesday night at the Farris Center in Conway.

The Bears (0-19, 0-8), one of two Division I men’s teams still searching for their first victory, made 36 of 62 shots from the floor (58.1 percent), 13 of 25 threes (52.0) and 23 of 28 free throws (82.1).

The Demons (12-9, 7-3), the second highest scoring team in Division I, were just a bit better. Led by West and Woodley, the Demons made 37 of 76 shots from the floor, 11 of 25 threes and 25 of 33 free throws while rallying from what once was a 71-59 UCA lead.

Freshman Jordan Howard scored 27 points, while Mike Martin scored 23, Mathieu Kamba had 16 and Jake Zuilhof added 14.

Northwestern State led 5247 at halftime, but UCA went on a 24-7 run to start the half and led 71-59 with 12:18 left. The Demons tied it at 78-78 on a jumper by Woodley with 8:37 left and neither team led by more than five points the rest of the game.

UCA’s last lead was at 9695 with 4:33 left, but a Matt Killian layup gave Northwestern State a 97-96 lead and UCA never could get it back.

After Martin’s layup got UCA within 107-105 with 34 seconds left, Northwestern State’s Devonte Hall missed the second of two free throws, leaving its lead at 108-105. Martin then missed a three with 15 seconds left, Hall got the rebound, was fouled and made both free throws to take a 110-105 lead with 14 seconds left.