The University of Central Arkansas Bears men’s basketball team is set for a two-game road trip in the ASUN Conference. The Bears, holding a 13-10 overall record and 8-2 in conference play, will first face Lipscomb University Bison (15-9, 8-3) on Saturday at Allen Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
Lipscomb has a historical edge over Central Arkansas with a four-game winning streak against the Bears. The last three matchups between these teams have taken place in Nashville, including their most recent meeting during the ASUN tournament quarterfinals. This season, Lipscomb remains undefeated at home with an 11-0 record but has lost two of its last three games, all played away from home. The Bison are led by graduate student Grant Asman, who averages 14 points, 6.7 rebounds, and two assists per game.
Central Arkansas recently achieved its sixth consecutive win by defeating North Alabama Lions (UNA) 81-60 last Wednesday. This marks the first time since joining NCAA Division I or II that the Bears have won six straight conference games since the 2001-02 season. In that victory over UNA, Luke Moore contributed 15 points and seven assists; Cole McCormick added 14 points; Ty Robinson and Javion Guy-King each scored twelve points.
Despite stronger performances at home this season, Central Arkansas has also won its last two road games as part of their current streak. Over ten ASUN contests this year, they average nearly 85 points per game while shooting efficiently from both field goal range (48%) and beyond the arc (38%).
Following Saturday’s matchup in Nashville, Central Arkansas will travel to Florence, Alabama to play North Alabama on Monday evening at CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall. That game was rescheduled after being postponed due to a winter storm and is set for a 6:00 p.m. tip-off.
North Alabama comes into Monday’s contest with a challenging stretch—having lost six of their past seven games—and remains winless at home in conference play this season. Before facing Central Arkansas again on Monday night, UNA will play Austin Peay on Saturday. Donte Bacchus and Canin Jefferson are leading scorers for UNA during ASUN competition with both averaging fifteen points per game.
Both upcoming games for Central Arkansas can be viewed live on ESPN+, The Bear 91.3 FM or Jack 92.7 FM radio stations; live statistics are also available online.
