CONWAY, Ark. The University of Central Arkansas Bears will play the Little Rock Trojans in the "Governor's I-40 Showdown" on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in the "Governor's I-40 Showdown," presented by Arkansas Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
It will be the Bears' only home game of the season and the second of four this semester. After a 70-67 win over Oral Roberts on Nov. 20, UCA is 1-0 on Pippen Court.
The Bears (1-8) will face the Trojans (5-6) for the 52nd match in the rivalry series. Last year's matchup was won by Little Rock 86-83 in the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock. The Bears had five players in double digits at halftime, led by DeAndre Jones (23 points) and Rylan Bergersen (14 points).
Four of Little Rock's five starters scored in double digits, led by Marquis Nowell's 19 points. Ruot Monyyong, a center, had 12 points and 13 rebounds. All four of those guys, ironically, are no longer with their respective teams.
The key difference in a statistically tight game was the Trojans' eight three-pointers over the Bears' five. Little Rock was beaten 37-36 by UCA in rebounding. UCA had a 46.4 percent total shooting percentage compared to 45.2 percent for Little Rock. The Bears had 17 turnovers compared to the Trojans' 15 turnovers. Little Rock had 38 points in the paint, while UCA had 40. Both teams made at least 30 free throws, with UCA hitting 26 of 35 and Little Rock 22 of 33.
The Bears last played on Saturday, December 4th, when they lost 95-82 against Arkansas State due to final examinations. Darius Hall, a junior transfer from Little Rock, led the Bears with a career-high 30 points, nine rebounds, and three steals. Vincent Reeves, a freshman, scored a career-high 11 points. ASU had four players in double digits, including Norchad Omier (19 points, 13 rebounds), who recorded a double-double.
In the second half, UCA outscored A-State 47-44, but it was not enough to overcome a 51-35 halftime disadvantage.
The Trojans, who have struggled with injuries all season, snapped a four-game losing run with a 60-51 victory over Philander Smith at the Stephens Center on Saturday. In the game, Little Rock used only seven players, as it did in a defeat to Top 25 Arkansas on Dec. 4. The Razorbacks built a 15-point lead at halftime and then held off a second-half comeback by the Trojans, who nailed 7 of 10 three-pointers after shooting 1 for 11 in the first half.
The Bears are also dealing with injuries and might be missing a handful of backups on Tuesday, although Masai Olowokere and Lewis McDaniel could make their season debuts.
On Saturday, UCA travels to Springfield, Missouri, to face Missouri State. Last Wednesday at Little Rock, the maroon Bears defeated the Trojans 81-55.