CONWAY, Ark. (February 4, 2026) – The University of North Alabama men's basketball team played without three of its regulars on Wednesday, competing well in the first half before Central Arkansas pulled away for an 81-60 win in Atlantic Sun Conference play in Conway, Ark.

The Lions (7-14, 2-8 ASUN) played their five starters for the majority of the game, including true freshman Braylon Patton who stepped in for a banged-up Canin Jefferson, a game-time decision. Senior Jamal Albritton and redshirt freshman King Walker were the only reserves to play, totaling six minutes apiece.

The game had 11 lead changes, which is a new season-high for the Lions. Nine of those changes came in a competitive first half with the Lions trailing 40-39. However, the depth of Central Arkansas (13-10, 8-2 ASUN) began take over in the second half.

For the third straight game, senior Donte Bacchus finished with 20 or more points with 21 tonight. Bacchus finished with three makes behind the arc in the first half. Sophomore Kevin de Kovachich added 15 points, while the other three combined for 24 points.

Dallas Howell had eight points and played all 40 minutes. Redshirt junior Corneilous Williams had nine points and 13 rebounds over 36 minutes. Patton played over 30 minutes for the second time in his career, scoring seven points with a career-high six assists. This doubled his previous high of three set in his start against Queens.

UCA had four players in double figures.

UNA retains an 11-5 lead in the all-time series, as Central Arkansas snaps a three-game losing skid against the Lions dating back to last season. This also marks UCA's first win over the Lions in Conway since 2022, as the Lions won the last three trips before tonight.
 

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half: Three of UNA's five starters played the entire half, while the other two played all but four minutes. This did not slow the Lions down by any means, trailing 40-39 at the break. The lead changed nine times and neither team led by more than five points. Donte Bacchus was the MVP of the half for UNA, scoring 16 points with three makes behind the arc. Sophomore Kevin de Kovachich added 11 points while sixth-year senior Dallas Howell added eight. Both had a pair of triples, as UNA finished 7-16 from downtown in the half.

Second Half: Less than a minute into the second half, the lead traded twice to make it 11 for the game. This set a new season-high in lead changes for the Lions. Central Arkansas mounted its largest lead of the game shortly after, going up by eight before Braylon Patton snapped the run with his first triple to make it 49-44. UCA took its first double digit lead with just under 14 minutes left at 59-48.
 

COMING UP NEXT

The Lions wrap up a five-game road stretch at Austin Peay on Saturday. Tipoff from F&M Bank Arena is set for 4 p.m.

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