CONWAY, Ark. (February 24, 2025) – The University of North Alabama men's basketball team maintained its tie for first in the Atlantic Sun Conference standings on Monday, handling the Central Arkansas Bears for a 93-70 win inside the Farris Center in Conway, Ark.
The stars came to play in the final road game of the regular season, as junior Jacari Lane and senior Daniel Ortiz finished with 20 points apiece. Lane had 17 of his 20 points in the first half, while Ortiz went 6-13 behind the arc.
Senior Taye Fields was on triple double watch most of the way, finishing with 14 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. The nine assists mark a new career-high for Fields while putting him just eight away from matching his junior season total from Missouri Western State. Fields drew his fourth foul midway through the second half and did not return with the game in hand.
Fields, Ortiz and Lane combined to shoot 21-37 for 57 percent as a unit. Ortiz and Lane combined to go 10-20 behind the arc.
The other two starters heavily contributed to the win, as well. Fifth-year senior Will Soucie had 12 points and two blocks, while redshirt sophomore Corneilous Williams finished with six points, six rebounds and two blocks, making all three of his shots. Williams was also a key factor in UNA's post success, as the Lions outscored UCA 44-24 in the paint.
Other key hustle stats included a 21-10 advantage in points off turnovers. The Lions were below their season average with just seven turnovers. UNA ranked second in the nation with just 9.0 turnovers per game entering tonight.
The Lions improve to 21-9 overall and 13-4 in ASUN play to remain in a tie with Lipscomb for first place. A win at home on Wednesday would clinch UNA at least a share of the ASUN Regular Season Championship. UCA falls to 8-22 and 4-13, but earned the 10th and final seed into the ASUN tournament despite the loss.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half: Jacari Lane had 17 first half points to rise above his season average in the first 20 minutes, leading the Lions to a 48-35 lead at the break. Taye Fields began his triple-double bid early with eight points, eight rebounds and six assists in the half. The Bears were the early aggressors, but UNA pulled to an 11-9 lead and proceeded on an 11-0 run to make it 22-9. UNA finished the first half shooting 19-36 for 53 percent. The Bears also shot 50 percent, but were just 12-24 with 14 less attempts.
Second Half: The Lions cruised the rest of the way, leading by as many as 27 with 6:41 remaining and winning by 23. The Lions went 19-29 from the field in the second half to finish with a remarkable 65 percent shooting clip while holding UCA to just 13-32 for 41 percent. The Lions had 21 points off the bench after sitting the starting five before the final media timeout. Donte Bacchus led this group with nine points.
COMING UP NEXT
The Lions will close the regular season at home on Wednesday against Queens. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. inside CB&S Bank Arena. Prior to tipoff, the Lions will honor its seniors with a special ceremony.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
