Bears end season with loss

ASUN MEN KENNESAW STATE 72, CENTRAL ARKANSAS 56

CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas men’s basketball season came to an end Friday.

UCA, already out of postseason contention, fell 7256 to Kennesaw State at the Farris Center as the Owls clinched a share of the ASUN regular season conference title.

Friday also brought the end to Eddy Kayouloud’s career in Conway. He scored 20 points, grabbed five rebounds and received a standing ovation by the announced crowd of 1,248 as he exited for the final time.

“Eddy loves the University of Central Arkansas, [and] the University of Central Arkansas loves Eddy more than he can probably ever know,” UCA acting head coach Brock Widders said. “I’m so happy for him tonight that he’s been able to have this experience. And ultimately, I’m happy that I’ve been able to experience Eddy, because he’s impacted my life a lot.”

“I don’t think I realize that this is the end of my UCA career, but I’m just glad I got to spend those last moments with the guys and play with them one more time,” Kayouloud said.

After Thursday’s 101-71 loss to Jacksonville State, UCA made changes to its defense for the final game.

The Bears ( 9- 22, 4- 14 ASUN) came out in a 2- 3 zone against the Owls (238, 15-3). Two minutes in, it looked like UCA could be in for another track meet as Kennesaw State scored three times on five possessions.

“I wanted to give them something different,” Widders said. “After those first three [scores], I was thinking ‘Well, we’re going to do this again.’ I’d already decided that I wasn’t going to do what coaches do and as soon as they score against the zone, you get out of it. I like the energy it gave us, so I’m very happy with the defensive end.”

The Owls scored 39 points in the first half but were held to 33 points on 38.7% shooting in the second half.

Camren Hunter had 20 points. He and Kayouloud combined for 40 of the Bears’ 56 points.