Megan Herbert, the league's leading scorer, led the Sugar Bears with 20 points as UCA upped their record to 17-5 for the season and 7-2 in Southland action. This is the final season before Central Arkansas becomes eligible for post-season tournament competition in the league.

One of Sam Houston's freshmen also shined in the contest as Chanice Smith posted her eighth double figure scoring performance of the season with 19 points. The performance tied her season best of 19 points, also in the state of Arkansas against the Razorbacks of the University of Arkansas in a December game.

Senior guard Ray Alexander, who scored 14 points, was the only other Bearkat in double figures as the Sam Houston women fell to 5-15 for the year and 2-6 in Southland action. The loss was the fourth in a row for Sam Houston.

Sequeena Thomas scored eight points for Sam Houston and Whitney Smith added six.

Central Arkansas led 45-29 at halftime and was up by as many as 23 points in the second half. The Bearkats rallied to come within 15 points with four minutes to play.

Senior Brittany Brooks fell one point short of setting a personal milestone Saturday. Brooks scored seven points to bring her four-year career scoring total to 999 points. She can become the 11th Bearkat women's basketball player to score 1,000 career points Wednesday when Sam Houston plays host to Nicholls at 6:30 p.m. at Johnson Coliseum.

Tickets for Sam Houston women's basketball home games are on sale now on-line.  Fans also may purchase tickets at the Sam Houston athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Ticket office telephone is (936) 294-1729.

Tickets for the annual State Farm Southland Conference Basketball Tournament March 10 through March 13 at the Merrill Center in Katy also are on sale now. Please see the Link to Southland Conference Tournament Tickets   _