Central Arkansas Sugar Bears basketball

The Central Arkansas Sugar Bears basketball team is the women's basketball team that represents the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) in Conway, Arkansas. The Sugar Bears compete in the ASUN Conference. They completed a 15-season tenure in the Southland Conference in 2020–21.^[2] The Sugar Bears are coached by Tony Kemper.

Central Arkansas Sugar Bears basketball
2024–25 Central Arkansas Sugar Bears basketball team
University	University of Central Arkansas
Head coach	Tony Kemper (2nd season)
Conference	ASUN
Location	Conway, Arkansas
Arena	Farris Center (capacity: 6,000)
Nickname	Sugar Bears
Colors	Purple and gray[1]
NCAA tournament Elite Eight
Division II: 2003, 2005
Other NCAA tournament results Sweet Sixteen Division II: 2003, 2005 Appearances Division I: 2016, 2017 Division II: 1996, 2003, 2004, 2005
Conference tournament champions
Southland: 2016, 2017
Conference regular-season champions
Southland: 2017 (Tied)

For information on all University of Central Arkansas sports, see Central Arkansas Bears and Sugar Bears

For information about the Central Arkansas men's team, see Central Arkansas Bears basketball.

Postseason

• Division I: At the NCAA Division I level, the Sugar Bears have competed in two NCAA tournaments with a combined record of 0–2 (2016 and 2017). The Sugar Bears have competed in two WNIT tournaments with a record of 0–2 (2012 and 2025). The team has competed in two Women's Basketball Invitational tournament with a record of 3–2 (2011 and 2018).
• Division II: The Sugar Bears competed in six NCAA Division II tournaments with a combined record of 8–4 (1996, 2003, 2004, and 2005). The 2003 and 2005 teams competed at the Elite Eight level.
• NAIA: As an NAIA member, Central Arkansas competed in two national tournaments (1984 and 1991); two Bi-District Playoff tournaments (1984 and 1985); and one Area V Regional tournament (1983). The overall record for NAIA postseason play was 2–4.^[3]

NCAA Division II

The Sugar Bears made five appearances in the NCAA Division II women's basketball tournament. They had a combined record of 10–5.

Year	Round	Opponent	Result
1996	First round Regional semifinals	Fort Valley State Florida Southern	W, 68–55 L, 93–97
2002	First round Regional semifinals Regional finals	West Alabama Delta State Florida Tech	W, 68–65 W, 98–89 L, 64–71
2003	First round Regional semifinals Regional finals Elite Eight	Rollins Henderson State Arkansas Tech Bentley	W, 74–55 W, 59–58 W, 68–54 L, 69–80
2004	First round	Fort Valley State	L, 77–79
2005	First round Second Round Third round Elite Eight Final Four	Rollins Fort Valley State Henderson State Shaw Washburn	W, 88–58 W, 103–88 W, 76–71 W, 87–73 L, 67–69

NAIA Division I

The Sugar Bears made two appearances in the NAIA Division I women's basketball tournament, with a combined record of 1–2.

Year	Seed	Round	Opponent	Result
1984	#8	First round	NR UNC Asheville	L, 60–62
1991	#16	First round Second Round	NR Berry #1 Claflin	W, 86–80 L, 77–93

See also

• Central Arkansas Bears basketball