Staff Report
RIVERSIDE, California — The University of Central Arkansas Bears closed out their California road trip with their second consecutive overtime loss on Saturday, losing 78-72 to Prairie View A&M as part of the 2K Empire Classic at California Baptist’s Events Center.
The Bears shot 54.5% from the field in the opening 20 minutes but fell off dramatically in the second half and overtime, dropping to 38.5% for the game.
UCA was just 8 of 30 from the field, and 2 of 12 from 3-point range, in the final 25 minutes.
UCA junior center Hayden Koval had his second consecutive big night, despite playing much of his team-high 37 minutes in foul trouble.
He recorded his first double-double of the season with 20 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots before fouling out late in regulation.
For the two-game swing out west, Koval had 35 points, 20 rebounds, nine assists and nine blocked shots and was named to the 2K Empire Classic All-Tournament team.
Junior transfer guard Rylan Bergersen also had 20 points and nine rebounds for the Bears, who led the Panthers for nearly 35 minutes of action.
The Bears led by as much as 11 points early in the second half after a Bergersen dunk. But from there, the UCA offense sputtered and could not put together enough scoring runs to hold off the Panthers.
Prairie View, who won the Southwestern Athletic Conference title and made the NCAA Tournament a year ago, was led by Gerard Andrus, who scored 28 points and pulled down eight rebounds.
PVAMU won despite hitting just 1 of 13 from 3-point range.
UCA will now have a 10-day break before resuming with a three-game road trip, beginning Dec. 5 at Wichita State.
Faulkner County Focus Sports 