Bears continue tough stretch on road against Memphis

To have a shot at making things competitive tonight against the University of Memphis, University of Central Arkansas men’s basketball coach Rand Chappell said the Bears are going to have to make more shots.

The Bears, who had trouble scoring last week in losses at Kansas and Western Illinois, play the Tigers at 7 tonight at the FedEx Forum in Memphis.

“In looking at our loss to Western Illinois (56-46), we did all things at about a B level,” Chappell said at Monday’s Bearbackers luncheon. “But we’ve got to make a shot every now and then.”

The Bears (1-3) shot 32.7 percent on their home court against the Leathernecks and hit only 10 of 25 free throws.

Memphis lost by two points to Kansas, then defeated Tennesse Tech, which defeated UCA, by 33 points. Later this week, the Bears go to Rochester, Mich., to play Oakland University, which is favored to win the Summit Conference, the league that Western Illinois is picked at the middle of the pack. Later, they play at Cal State Fullerton.

“Memphis is not the best place to get well, but there are not any soft spots the next couple of weeks,” Chappell said. “It levels off a bit after that. By the time Southland Conference play comes about, I think we’ll have a good, competitive team.”

The Bears lost to No. 1 Kansas last week 94-44 at Allen Fieldhouse.

“It sounds strange, but I think we played better than the scored indicated; Kansas is an awfully good team,” Chappell said. “We competed hard. Kansas took advantage of every mistake or breakdown we had and that’s what a great teams does.”

UCA Sugar Bear coach Matt Daniel, whose team played Jackson State Monday night, noted how his young players have played well in the opening three games. The Southland Conference has had two 30-plus performances from women this season and both of them have been by UCA players, Westin Taylor and Meagan Herbert.

“Statistically, our young ones are getting it done,” Daniel said. “We’re headed in the right direction.”

Taylor, a freshman from Clarksville, hit 10 3-point baskets in the win over Ecclesia, the eighth women’s player to accomplish that in Division I basketball. All 10 3-pointers occurred in the second half and UCA officials are researching whether that’s a record for a half.