GRAMBLING, La. (Interstat) — Central Arkansas defeated Grambling 82-75 in a women’s nonconference basketball game Saturday at Fredrick Hobdy Assembly Center. The Bears built a 36-34 halftime lead and pulled away with 23 points in each of the second half quarters. Grambling’s Lady Tigers kept pace after a slow start but could not close the gap. Monica Marsh led Grambling with 16 points. Central Arkansas had a balanced attack with Jenna Cook scoring 16 points, Cheyanne Kemp adding 15, and Bree Stephens and Shae Littleford each contributing 13. Central Arkansas improved to 7-3. Grambling fell to 1-9. Attendance was 789.

GRAMBLING, La. (Interstat) — The Central Arkansas women’s basketball team used a dominant first quarter to build a substantial lead and then held off a persistent Grambling squad for an 82-75 victory on Saturday afternoon at Fredrick Hobdy Assembly Center. The Bears (7-3) raced out to a 17-10 lead after the opening period, capitalizing on early Grambling turnovers and cold shooting. That initial cushion proved vital as the Lady Tigers (1-9) found their rhythm, mounting several challenges throughout the contest but never managing to erase the deficit entirely. Central Arkansas expanded its lead to 36-34 by halftime, but the third quarter became the game’s pivotal stretch. Grambling, led by Monica Marsh’s offensive creation, closed the gap to a single possession on multiple occasions. The Lady Tigers’ surge culminated in a 3-pointer from Arianna Mosley with 7:15 left in the third, pulling them within 40-37 and threatening to completely overturn the Bears’ early work. The Bears responded decisively. Sparked by balanced scoring, they closed the third quarter on a 19-18 run to take a 59-55 lead into the final frame. Each time Grambling made a push in the fourth, Central Arkansas had an answer, often from Jenna Cook or Cheyanne Kemp, to maintain control. Cook, a guard from Cabot, Arkansas, led the Bears with 16 points. Kemp added 15, while Shae Littleford and Bree Stephens each contributed 13 points. Stephens also recorded two blocks defensively. The Bears scored 30 points in the paint and committed just enough fewer mistakes to keep Grambling at bay. Grambling was powered by a game-high 16 points from Monica Marsh of Plano, Texas, who also dished out four assists. Zaria Johnson and Jamirica Roberson each added 12 points for the Lady Tigers, who shot themselves in the foot with 21 turnovers, which Central Arkansas converted into 12 points. Despite the loss, Grambling showed fight, outscoring Central Arkansas in the second, third, and fourth quarters after the disastrous start. The Lady Tigers also won the rebounding battle and matched the Bears’ points-off-turnovers output, but the early hole was too deep to escape. The announced attendance was 789. Central Arkansas will travel to face Louisiana Tech on Wednesday. Grambling will host Jarvis Christian on Monday.

GRAMBLING, La. (Interstat) — A surging Central Arkansas women’s basketball team will look to rebound from its first loss in nearly a month when it visits struggling Grambling on Saturday. The Bears (6-3) had won five straight before a 57-48 road loss at Arkansas-Little Rock on Dec. 6. They will face a Grambling squad that has lost eight consecutive games since a season-opening win, with the Lady Tigers’ record sitting at 1-8. Central Arkansas is led by guard Paris Santacaterina, who is coming off a 32-minute, 9-point performance in the loss to Little Rock. She recorded a triple-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds in a win at Georgia State on Nov. 26, highlighting a versatile skill set. The Bears’ offense has been potent during their win streak, averaging over 70 points per game in those victories. Grambling, which last won on Nov. 9, is seeking a spark at Fredrick Hobdy Assembly Center. Guard Shaniah Nunn has provided a bright spot, scoring a season-high 22 points in a 74-60 loss at Louisiana Tech on Dec. 9. She and backcourt teammate Monica Marsh, who had 16 points and six assists in that game, will be tasked with generating offense against a Central Arkansas defense that has held four opponents under 45 points this season. This non-conference matchup represents a final tune-up before both teams dive into their respective league schedules in January. Central Arkansas will begin ASUN Conference play on Jan. 1, while Grambling starts Southwestern Athletic Conference action the same day. Tipoff is set for Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Grambling.