Numbers helping out UCA

Down the stretch of last season, the University of Central Arkansas women's basketball team was running on fumes.

You could see it on the faces of the few remaining players. Body language, occasionally on-court play -- all the signs of a group that had nothing left to give.

Less than a year later, the Sugar Bears program has been rejuvenated -- in spirit, in pride and in its play.

While the sheer number of healthy players first-year Coach Tony Kemper has at his disposal would indicate a jump in performance from the group that finished last season with just four players, forcing it to forfeit its final three games, the Sugar Bears have done more than take the next step -- they've leaped into title contention for the first time in six seasons.

UCA