Jan 20th, 2007 10:34PM
by: Cody Usher

By CODY USHER
UCA ASSISTANT SID

CONWAY —The University of Central Arkansas women's basketball team recorded their second straight win over a Southland Conference-East
Division opponent with an 85-73 victory over McNeese State at the Farris Center on Saturday night. The Sugar Bears (8-10, 2-4 SLC) posted their best shooting night of the year, going 30-of-60 from the field (50 precent).
The Cowgirls (2-16, 0-5) shot just 37 percent (27-of-72) from the floor, en route to their 12th consecutive loss.

UCA, who never trailed in the game, kept McNeese at an arm's length for most of the first period and took a 36-32 advantage into halftime.

The Sugar Bears came out of the break on fire, and opened the second half with a 21-4 run to push the lead to 57-36 with 15:21 remaining.
They went 9-for-11 from the field and 2-for-2 at the free-throw line during that stretch. Central Arkansas shot a scorching 55 percent (16-of-29) in the half.

The Sugar Bears also were hot from the free-throw line, going 20-of-25 for an 80 percent mark.

Senior forward Caronica Randle, the league's leading scorer, led the Sugar Bears with 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting and recorded a career-high four blocked shots. Senior guard Renita Dobbins flirted with a triple-double as she came up with 16 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Junior reserve center Alex Velazquez scored a seson-high 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting and sophomore guard Mariesha Piggee, who celebrated her 20th birthday on Saturday, chipped in 12 points and had
four steals.

The Cowgirls were led by reserve forward Ryan Herd's 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting. Courtnee' Hollins scored 14 points and Shante' Perry added 10. Brittany Boone also was close to a triple-double, as she scored nine points, pulled down 15 rebounds and dished out eight assists.

UCA recorded 10 blocked shots for the game, the third-highest total in program history. The record of 12 blocked shots was  achieved twice during the 1985-86 season.

UCA will travel to Southeast Louisiana in Hammond, La., Thursday night.