UCAFANS.COM | GO UCA BEARS!

The Bears used a 22-8 run to tie Sam Houston at 62 in the final two minutes before the Bearkats made eight straight free throws down the stretch to win 70-62 Saturday at the Farris Center.

“Our guys really fought hard,” said UCA coach Corliss Williamson after the Bears lost their 20th game (and sixth in a row) with only five wins. “Our guys could half easily folded their tents. I was very disappointed in the effort in the last home game when so many fans came out in the snow to watch us. The effort was good this time. I believed we were gonna win the game.”

The Bears made only three 3-point attempts the second half, which Williamson said was a key to them getting back in the game.

“We are not a good 3-point shooting team, and I feel we are a better team when we stop shooting 3’s,” Williamson said. “When we shoot a lot of 3’s, we are not getting to the free-throw line, we don’t get many offensive rebounds and it allows the other team to get fast-break points.”

UCA forward Tadre Sheppard, whose one rebound was his only line on the stat sheet the first half, finished with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field the second half that included four of four from the foul line and a block in 15 minutes of play. Post Carlos Dos Santos “really upped his game,” said Williamson, noting he had seven rebounds, three assists and three blocks.

“Mike Pouncy (13 points, eight rebounds and two assists) continues to play his heart out,” Williamson said.

Dewan Clayborn had one of his best games with 10 points, three assists and two steals.

The Bears scored 18 points in the paint the second half after only eight the first half.

The UCA men host Nicholls on Wednesday before traveling to Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday.

“If we continue to play with that type of effort, that type of energy and that type of heart, we’ll set the tone for the teams of the future here,” Williamson said.