CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears will entertain the top team in the Southland Conference on Saturday afternoon at the Farris Center.

    The Bears will host the UT Arlington Mavericks (16-5, 8-0) at 4 p.m. in their only meeting of the season. The Mavs, up to No. 19 in the most recent Mid-Major poll, have won a school-record 12 consecutive games and lead the SLC West Division by two games at the half-way point of the conference season.

    “We know we’re about to face the best team in our league,’ said UCA head coach Corliss Williamson. “The good thing about it, I think, is there is now way in the world you can take UT Arlington for granted. You know it’s the best team so you have to bring your best game.

    “Hopefully we’ll come in focused and try to find a way to get a victory.’

    The Bears are coming off an 79-68 home loss to Northwestern State on Wednesday, while the Mavs had a close call Wednesday before beating UTSA 67-66 in their first game at their new on-campus arena, College Park Center. That opener drew a school-record crowd of 6,228.

    The Mavs are ranked near the top in the SLC in numerous statistical categories, including first in scoring margin (+10.8) and field goal percentage defense (40.4), second in scoring offense (77.2), rebounding (39.4) and three-point percentage (37.0). Their last loss was to Utah State back on Dec. 20.

    UTA is led by all-around guard LaMarcus Reed, who is third in scoring, second in free-throw percentage and seventh in three-point percentage. UCA counters with the league’s No. 2 scorer in LaQuentin Miles, averaging 17.1 points per game. He is also first in steals and fifth in field-goal percentage. Miles had 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in Wednesday’s game.

    Two of the top UCA Bears teams of all-time, the 1990-91 and 1991-92 squads, will be honored at halftime. Those teams reached the NAIA Championship game in back-to-back seasons under the direction of Coach Don Dyer.