Angela Beadle and Shernise Robertson scored 23 and 15 points, respectively, to help the Sam Houston women's basketball keep pace with Central Arkansas for more than 30 minutes before the Bears triumphed 73-63 in a Southland Conference women's basketball game Saturday afternoon at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville.

The game was tied eight times with six lead changes. Maggie Proffitt led UCA with 25 points and Tyalor Baudoin added 19.

UCA upped its record to 22-3 for the year and 12-2 in Southland Conference play. Sam Houston now stands 9-15 for the season and 5-9 in the league.

“I'm so proud of this team. They battled every second against the team that's probably going to be the number one seed at the Southland tournament, “ Sam Houston head coach Brenda Welch-Nichols said. “This team has been fighting all year long. We have three of our last four at home and the girls are determined to fight their way to Katy.”

Down by four, 21-17, after the first quarter, the Bearkat women opened the second period with a     9-2 run to take a 26-23 lead on a lay-up by Robertson at the 6:26 mark. Sam Houston led by three again with 5:36 on the clock on a pair of free throws by Beadle.

UCA tied the game twice at 28-28 and 29-29 before going on a 8-0 run to go up 37-29 with 1:15 left. The Bears took a 40-34 lead into the locker room at intermission.

Sam Houston tied the game three times in the third quarter, the last at 44-44. UCA finally pulled ahead in the final 10 minutes.

The Bearkats out-boarded the Bears 30-28 with Beadle leading the way with 12 rebounds. UCA point guard Brianna Mullins was credited with 11 assists.