SUGAR BEARS TROUNCE NORTH DAKOTA STATE FOR FIU HOLIDAY CLASSIC TITLE

[Seminole Indian]

MIAMI, Fla. — For the second straight day at the FIU Holiday Classic, Central Arkansas never trailed – and this time, it wasn't close.

A day after holding off Clemson for a 53-47 win, the Sugar Bears wasted little time making the outcome clear on Thursday as they dominated North Dakota State for a 68-45 victory to claim the Holiday Classic championship.

The Sugar Bears (7-4) led the Bison (6-7) by nine at the half, but quickly put the game out of reach with a 27-8 3rd quarter – shooting 73.3 percent (11-of-15) from the field in the period as they took a 28-point lead into the fourth quarter. Early in the fourth, the Sugar Bear lead would grow to as many as 32 before the Bison closed the gap slightly in the game's waning moments.

Central Arkansas kept NDSU more than 25 points below its scoring average, limiting the Bison to their second-lowest total of the season and just five 3-pointers – nearly 40 percent below their season average.

The Sugar Bears, meanwhile, enjoyed a highly productive day beyond the arc – knocking down 9 of 18 (50 percent), their best output against a Division I opponent this season.

Taylor Baudoin was named Tournament MVP after following her 17-point, 11-rebound effort against Clemson with 11 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals against the Bison on Thursday. Kamry Orr was also selected to the All-Tournament team, scoring 19 points with 5 steals, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in Thursday's win to average 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.5 steals in the two games.

Maddie Goodner led the Sugar Bears' perimeter attack on Thursday, knocking down 4 of 8 from 3-point range en route to a career-high 14 points along with a pair of steals in 30 minutes. Kierra Jordan added 11 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists.

The Sugar Bears will begin their quest for a repeat Southland Conference championship and drive for a third straight NCAA Tournament berth when they resume play on Dec. 28, beginning Southland Conference play at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. They return to the Farris Center on the 31st, taking on Southeastern Louisiana in the Farris Center.

NOTES
• The Sugar Bears have won their last seven regular season neutral-site games, and are 6-0 in the last three seasons
• In the 80 minutes of play at the FIU Holiday Classic, the Sugar Bears never trailed and led for 75:26
• The Sugar Bears held the Bison to just two free throw attempts, their lowest total allowed this season
• It was the Sugar Bears' 6th win by 23 points or more this season, with an average margin of 45.5 points in those victories

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