The Central Arkansas women’s basketball team began their 2026 season in the ASUN Conference with a decisive 65-43 victory over Stetson on Thursday in DeLand, Florida. This win marks Central Arkansas’ first triumph at Stetson after two previous attempts and improves their record to 8-5 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
Shae Littleford led Central Arkansas in scoring with 15 points. Bree Stephens contributed eight points along with 14 rebounds, while Linda Amaning added eight points and achieved a career-high nine rebounds, including five on the offensive end.
The opening quarter was marked by low shooting percentages from both teams and multiple turnovers. Paris Santacaterina scored the first basket for Central Arkansas. After an early exchange of leads, Stetson finished the first quarter ahead by two points.
Julianna Gibson tied the game at the start of the second quarter, and both teams continued to trade leads until midway through the period. With just over four minutes left in the half, Central Arkansas outscored Stetson 11-5 to take a six-point lead into halftime. Amaning’s five offensive rebounds by halftime matched the team’s season high for offensive boards in a single game.
After halftime, Central Arkansas opened the third quarter with a 10-1 run, increasing their lead to 15 points following another basket from Gibson. The Sugar Bears maintained defensive pressure throughout the quarter, allowing only six points on 15 percent shooting from Stetson and limiting them to one score inside the three-point line.
In the fourth quarter, Santacaterina extended Central Arkansas’ lead with a three-pointer. The Sugar Bears continued to control both ends of the court, eventually leading by as many as 28 points before substituting bench players late in the game.
Central Arkansas allowed just 17 points in the second half and held Stetson to four made field goals out of 23 attempts during that span. Cameron Thomas, who leads ASUN in scoring with nearly 20 points per game entering this matchup, was limited to 14 points and did not make a three-pointer for the first time this season.
Looking ahead, Central Arkansas will face Florida Gulf Coast in Fort Myers on January 3rd for a rematch of recent ASUN Championship Finals games. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT.
