Issue 12, Volume 114-- November 20, 2019

THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS’ STUDENT NEWSPAPER

SINGLE COPY PAID FOR BY STUDENT PUBLICATION FEE

WEDNESDAY

NOVEMBER 20, 2019 Volume 114 — Issue 12

ucanews.live TODAY’S FORECAST

CONWAY

Campus Life:

Entertainment:

Sports:

Stress Relief: “Canvas and Coffee” hosted for students to relax.

Music : Doja Cat’s new album “Hot Pink” is as good as expected.

Volleyball: Sugar Bears recieve 5th seed in conference tournament. 4

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THE NEWSDESK FROM THE ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

I N T E R N AT I O N A L Italy faces flooding emergency in Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro declared a state of emergency due to flooding Nov. 14. The streets of historic Venice, Italy have been flooded since Nov. 12 when tide levels reached six feet high. Flooding of such severity has not occurred in the city in over half a century. Many culturally and historically significant landmarks are in threat of irreversible damage.

photo courtesy of UCA Theatre

Performers in “United Differences” pose with their respective masks among the fellow stage hands. The show was described as an “exoerimental” piece put on by the department and soley written and performed by students within the theater department.

UCA Theatre presents expressive performance by lauren McCabe

N AT I O N A L Celebrities help stop TX inmates execution

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals suspended inmate Rodney Reed’s execution indefinitely Nov. 15. Reed, who has long claimed his innocence, was scheduled to be executed for a 23-yearold murder case Nov. 20.

His case is being sent back to a trial court. Attention from lawmakers as well as celebrities such as Kim Kardashian West and Rihanna has contributed to a rise in interest in Reed’s case in recent weeks.

Saugus High School shooting suspect dead

Editor

The lights dimmed inside UCA’s Bridges Larson Theatre as a group of six individuals took mysterious yet meaningful steps onto the stage and into position. There was no touching or communication between the actors as they slowly began to move their arms in order to put on brown, neutral-faced masks to open up what is described as an “experimental” work by the department.

Titled “United Differences,” the 25-minute-long performance was held Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 at 7:3o p.m., as well as Nov. 16 at 2 p.m., displaying four different scenarios that the actors later said were ones that were meant to be left for open interpretation.

“I certainly want [the audience] to be open to the interpretation of whatever [they] want [the scenes] to be,”

The sixteen-year-old student accused of opening fire in his California high school died in the hospital from a self-inflicted gunshot wound Nov. 15. The Nov. 14 attack killed two Saugus High School students and wounded three others. No significant connection between the suspect and the victims is known. Investigators are still searching for a motive.

co-director and UCA theater instructor Brady Ness said.

“We took certain ideas into our rehearsal process. But I think we purposely left [the ideas] sort of ambiguious for [the audience] to be a part of the storytelling as well.”

According to the press release, the show was a devised piece by a student ensemble.

Under the direction of Ness, students worked with guest artists Anna Kimmell, whose background is in dancing in musical theater and Blake Habermann, whose expertise is in mask work. The students were encouraged to combine different forms of movement to create a silent production on the topic of unity and diversity.

Besides the use of the brown, neutral-faced masks, performers also wore white masks with limited view and that each had a unique facial structure. However, wearing the

mask was a challenge on its own.

The cast agreed that one of the most important aspects of the masks is that they represented innocence and naitivity to different situations.

“The masks are larfal masks and one of the biggest things is that we don’t know what’s going on around us [while we wear the masks] because we can’t see,” Freshman Crystal Delgado Velez said. “But when we put [the] masks into any situation, they are always learning. They were learning through different plots and problems.”

One of the main — and perhaps the most questionable to the audience — props used during the performance were balls that were either green, blue, yellow or red. Those who wore the masks experimented with bouncing and holding the balls throughout the show, though it seemed unclear what the balls truly represented.

RE-OPENING

“When we were building [the performance]...[the balls] were seasons,” Ness said. “We were playing a little bit with the passage of time [and] were very much playing with difference seasons [in a] sort of life cycle.”

As for the ensemble who wrote and performed the piece, it was evident that hard work was necessary in order to build a concept that those in attendance would understand in their own way. Thus, bodily movement and background music were keen in helping the audience to come to a conclusion that there was indeed a message behind it all.

“There [was] a lot of finding the theme of the story we wanted to tell,” sophomore Emerson Johnson said. “Then, [we would] find [music] that also had that same theme [and] we felt that ‘ah, these fit perfectly together.’”

Though when the performers first gathered and knew nothing about what the performance was

APPOINTMENT

Stephens takes on role as president for AJHA

by Rose McGarrity Staff Writer

S TAT E

Professors found making meth at HSU Two chemistry professors at Henderson State University were arrested Nov. 15 for making methamphetamine.

Terry David Bateman and Bradley Allen Rowland face charges for manufacture of the drug and use of drug paraphernalia. The Reynolds Science Center on campus closed Oct. 8 after an undetermined chemical odor was detected. It reopened Oct. 29 following testing which showed Environmental Protection Agency recommendations were met.

WHAT’S AHEAD IN OUR NEXT ISSUE Boston Brass will perform at Reynolds Performance Hall.

photo courtesy of Hilary Andrews

Patrons of the newly remodeled Bears Den look over the new menu customed and priced by Gordon Ramsay and his crew.

The restaurant and bar reopened Nov. 12 to the public after being closed down for renovations Nov. 9-10.

Bears Den bar and restaurant freshens up, prices increased

by Rose McGarrity Staff Writer

The popular Conway bar, Bear’s Den Pizza, re-opened Nov. 12, following renovations by none other than television personality, food critic and restauranteur Gordan Ramsey, who is well known for his show “Hell’s Kitchen.”

Many people attended the grand opening to see the changes.

Ramsey’s renovation at the Bear’s Den Pizza was filmed for the show “Gordan Ramsey’s

24 Hours to Hell and Back.”

Bear’s Den Pizza was closed Nov. 9-10 for the renovations.

Bear’s Den Pizza has been a staple aspect of the college experience for many UCA students for many years. Before the renovation, it was known for its cheap prices — especially it’s $5 pizza.

“I enjoyed [the new look], it was just a different atmosphere,” senior Paige Holland said when talking about her experience at the Bear’s Den Pizza during the

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to become or how it was to play out, the Q&A discussion that followed immediately after the show proved that the cast had done their job to highlight that the masks did indeed represent some type of common difference — yet there was not just one answer to what the show was really about.

“I feel like we have certain conceptions about what a play should be. The idea that this play is ‘experimental’ because it doesn’t have dialogue and isn’t derived from a script feels slightly misguided,” Ness said to uca.edu. “Physical theater and movement-based theater has long been a standard of the artform. I think we tend to think of it as ‘experimental’ because we have not had much exposure to it in this part of the country.”

For information about upcoming UCA Theatre productions and schedules, visit uca.edu/theatre.

grand opening. “I like [that] they didn’t change too much about it.”

Some of the changes made during Ramsey’s renovation include new barstools, new chairs, new tables and more.

“I haven’t gotten a whole lot of feedback yet, but just seeing how many people are here and enjoying the food; I think people are liking it,” Bear’s Den Pizza General

See Change- page 2

UCA journalism professor and Interim Chair of UCA’s College of Communication Dr. Donna Stephens was named President of the American Journalism Historians Association, also known as AJHA. According to their website, AJHA is an organization that “seeks to advance education and research in mass communication history.”

Stephens has served as President of the American Journalism Historians Association since Oct. 5 and has previously served in other officer positions of the American Journalism Historians Association.

Stephens serves alongside four other officers in the American Journalism Historians Association. To keep in contact — since many of them live in different states .— they send each other emails.

Stephens’ responsibilities as president include chairing the annual board meeting, which takes place at each annual convention, speaking

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Opinion:

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at the annual conference and helping manage the organization.

The fact that Stephens is serving as a leader in the field of journalism isn’t surprising due to her love for the subject. Stephens love for journalism began in high school, where she served as the editor of her high school newspaper. She continued studying journalism as she went through school and completed a dissertation on the history of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

“I wanted to study something that would enable me to make a difference in the world,” Stephens said. “With journalism under attack from the highest levels, now is an important time to be fighting the good fight,” Stephens said.

Stephens also said studying the history of journalism is important.

“Like any historian, we learn from the past so we don’t make the same mistakes going forward,” Stephens said.

The website for the American Journalism Historians Association states that ‘journalism history’ shall

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Arkansas not having laws to protect the rights of renters is shameful.

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Change:

NEWS Ramsay revamps local bar and menu

The following information is compiled from UCAPD incident reports

by Assistant News Editor Hannah White

4 Continued from page 1 Manager Jonathan Phelps said during the grand opening.

Phelps said one of the main differences between the den before and after the renovation is the menu.

“The menu has completely changed. There is no more late night food vibe to it. This is higher quality food [with] higher quality ingredients [and] we’re making it in better ovens,” Phelps said.

Since the food is now higher quality, the prices are now more expensive — pizza at the Bear’s Den Pizza now costs $15.

“If you can only imagine how much it costs to make a $5 pizza, it’s just not going to be a good pizza. We want pizza that not only our employees can be proud of, but that the people who come to eat can be proud of too,” Phelps said.

Phelps said the menu was changed to try and bring more business into Bear’s Den Pizza earlier in the day.

“We want people to come here to want to eat dinner,” Phelps said.

Even though the prices have increased, students are liking the quality of the food.

“I didn’t eat there before, but I so far I really [the food],” Holland said.

Even though the menu has changed, many aspects of the Bear’s Den Pizza has remained the same. For instance, the prices at the late night menu, such as the alcohol, remained the same.

The next season of “Gordon Ramsey’s 24 Hours to Hell and Back,” in which Bear’s Dens Pizza’s remodeling will be featured, will premiere Jan. 7, 2019.

SGA

Nabors talks sustainability projects, renovations to Christian cafeteria

by Hannah White Assistant News Editor

Student Activities Fee Allocation appeals continued at SGA’s Nov. 18 meeting with presentations from speakers with three Registered Student Organizations, which were followed by debate. SGA also heard from Director of Aramark Jim Nabors and discussed extensive committee reports.

Nabors updated members of SGA on the status of some sustainability-increasing projects that are in process.

He said new cups have been ordered, as well as new paper straws, for the Student Center. He also said that renovation in the “pit” area of the cafeteria began Nov. 18 and is expected to be completed by the second week of December.

Hannah Walsh from Camp War Eagle visited SGA to share information about an upcoming job opportunity. Camp War Eagle representatives will be on campus throughout the week to recruit students to work as camp counselors for the summer. Camp War Eagle is a sports and adventure camp

located in Rogers, Arkansas that hires many UCA students each year. More information is available at Camp War Eagle’s table which will be set up every day this week until 2 p.m. in the Student Center.

Junior Vice President of Operations Jamaal Lockings informed SGA that their regular “Do-Nut Worry It’s Friday” event which usually occurs on Fridays late in the month will take place on the Monday following Thanksgiving break. Students are invited to participate.

Sophomore Internal Affairs Chair Garrett Spears announced he will be hosting question and answer sessions to ensure that every member is confident of the details of the L.E.G.A.C.Y. Act, which he proposed last week to restructure and thus clarify the SGA constitution. Spears also introduced another bill which, in working with the L.E.G.A.C.Y. Act, makes what was previously article four of the existing constitution now By-law E in the revised version.

Sophomore senator Sarah Randall, speaking for the Parking and Safety Committee said that a crosswalk that was needed has now been built.

She said that funds have been accepted for the grinding

down of some problematic sidewalks including those behind Mashburn. Randall also discussed some changes that are taking place within Bear Patrol to address some unsafe habits exhibited by drivers.

The Bear Patrol golf cart will be restricted to roads excluding four areas to ensure the safety of students using the sidewalk at night.

Junior Housing and Food Services Chair Rohan Saxena gave a presentation on a potential off-campus housing resource that could be coming to UCA in the future. College Pads is a website that provides information on apartments in the area to students and allows for ease of selecting where to rent. It also makes the process of finding and matching with roommates simple. The service would be a subdomain within the UCA website and would be accessible by only UCA students.

SGA will hear the remainder of the SAFA Appeals at their senate meeting next week. They are also preparing to attend the semester’s final Presidential Town Hall meeting.

TECHNOLOGY

Cable in dorms replaced with new Swank streaming service

by Daniel Adams staff wrtier

UCA has recently installed a campus-wide streaming service that is available for all students on the UCA Wireless network.

As of Nov. 1, the Swank Media App is now available for students to watch movies on whenever they’re connected to UCA WiFi. Cable connections will no longer work without the proper equipment. Students can purchase an antenna to pick up signals or use a cable box that would have their parents’ cable account set up within.

Swank has worked since 1937 to distribute movies to “non-theatrical markets,” which includes colleges and universities, according to their website.

UCA students can vote for movies they want to see on the app each month.

The titles will be rotated in and out depending on the popularity of the choices.

Craig Seager, the

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associate director for housing and residence life, said the feedback that helped push this initiative to the forefront was immensely in favor of streaming being made available at UCA. Out of the 1,049 responses that Resident Housing Association received back in the spring, 81% of students were in favor of a free streaming service on campus. Only 17% reported they watched cable every day.

“Swank Residence Life Cinema provides our housing staff with 200 movie[s] that have research-based discussion guides and talking points for our resident assistants to use for programming in our complexes,” Seager said.

Seager said some of the popular streaming choices for October were movies, particularly three Fifty Shades of Grey movies, along with The Hunger Games and Harry Potter. The movies will be rotated out, which means that unpopular movies could still return to the lineup to replace other films that generate low streaming numbers.

Senior Hunter Wallace, a member of the UCA Honors College, is interested to see what

Swank Media provides.

“I like the streaming service not only because it has recently released movies but also because the choices for new movies each month includes obscure and foreign movies I wouldn’t be able to watch otherwise,” Wallace said.

To properly access the streaming service, students will need to visit movies.uca.edu on either their computer or phones to get access to the movies.

Students will need to make sure that alternatives like Chrome or Firefox because the service will not work on Safari. iPhone and iPad users need mobile mode to be turned on when surfing the website so Swank Media Player will activate in the first place.

The streaming service will be rolled out in full in the spring 2020 semester.

To continue using cable, students must get cable service from their parents or purchase an antenna to pick up local channels.

Man fakes identity Man follows girls to avoid own arrest to dorm, banned Officer Tyler Louden noticed a vehicle traveling on Donaghey Avenue with no headlights Nov. 5 and performed a traffic stop.

He approached the vehicle which smelled of marijuana.

The driver, student Caliyah MacDonald, told Louden that there had previously been marijuana in the car, but it was no longer there. The passenger could not provide any ID but told Louden his name was Deajon Dobbins.

During a probable cause search, Louden found a large sum of cash in the passenger’s pockets. He later discovered that the passenger had lied about his name and was identified as Denzel Jackson and was on probation and had an active search waiver on file. Jackson was arrested and charged with Obstructing Government Operations.

Students Mariyah Simone Green and Kendall Moore reported to UCAPD that they had been harrassed by the same man at separate times on the evening of Nov. 9. The suspect was described as a man dressed in all black and a black hat with the word “Security” written across it. Officer Jordan Bailey observed a man who fit the description crossing Farris Street Nov. 10 and approached him for questioning. The suspect, identified as Brian Leo Waldmer, admitted to “yelling at and messing with” some girls on campus the night before. Bailey requested his ID, and dispatch informed him that Waldmer had an active search waiver on file.

Bailey notified Waldmer that he was banned from UCA campus.

iPhone app saves stolen backpack Student Chastity Patterson reported to Officer Destin Rink Nov.10 that her fiance’s backpack had been stolen from a classroom. Patterson said her fiance, Demarcus Rhodes, left his Michael Kors backpack in the Lewis Science Center. Rhodes did not remember having the bag after his class in that building and could not find it there upon returning. The backpack contained his iPad, which has an estimated value of $1300. The tracking application on the device allowed the iPad to be traced to a location in Little Rock.

Rhodes contacted Sergeant Mike Shaw Nov. 11 to inform him that he had actually carried his backpack home with him and it was later stolen from his vehicle and not the school.

photo by Rose McGarrity

Donna Stephens, professor of journalism, smiles after the public announcemnt of her new position as President of American Journalism History Association. Stephens is also the Interim Chair for the UCA School of Communication.

Honor:

UCA professor makes leaps and bounds in career

4 Continued from page 1 be seen as a continuous process, emphasizing but not necessarily confined to subjects of American mass communications.”

However, Stephens said many universities don’t have courses on the history of journalism.

Just like Stephens, the American Journalism Historians Association sees value in the history of journalism. Its website states

that its “members work to raise historical standards and ensure that all scholars and students recognize the vast importance of media history and apply this knowledge to the advancement of society.”

What has occurred in journalism recently has made this year interesting for Stephens.

She mentioned that the studentrun newspaper at Northwestern University recently apologized for trying to interview students,

which is an aspect of journalism.

During her time as president, Stephens hopes to help graduate students attend the annual conference by increasing the amount of money they can receive for travel.

Members of the American Journalism Historians Association must pay at least $25 per year, but the price varies based on various factors.

Campus Life November 20, 2019

Around Campus:

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Students learn to paint, enjoy coffee

by Daniel Adams Staff Writer

Food for Fines From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nov. 22 in the Student Center lobby, students, faculty, and staff can eliminate up to two parking tickets with a monetary value of either $10 or $15 by bringing non-perishable food items and/or hygiene products.

Hong Kong Protest Q&A From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 at the Farris Hall Presentation Room, the UCA Asian Studies minor program, Vote Everywhere and the UCA political science club are hosting Gina Anne Tam, assistant professor of history at Trinity University to discuss the ongoing pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

Holiday Service Event During X-period Nov. 26 at the College of Business room 206, the accounting club and Beta Alpha Psi Accounting Honor Society will host an event where students can make holiday cards for a local charity.

Corq and Give Pulse Training From 5 to 6 p.m. Nov. 20 in Doyne Hall room 141, UCA’s Office of Outreach and Community Engagement will give a presentation for students on how to upload community service hourse, how to create and event and explain what Corq is.

SGA Presidential Town Hall Meeting At 5:30 p.m. Nov. 20 in the Student Center room 214, UCA-SGA is partnering with Campus Conservation Core.

The topic covers sustainability efforts on campus and any concerns regarding student life with President Houston Davis alongside his cabinet.

Students turned up to have fun while painting at the UCA Student Activity Board‘s “Canvas and Coffee” event Nov. 14 in the Student Center Ballroom.

With two sessions occurring X-period and at 7 p.m, UCA students were given the opportunity to do their own canvas paintings under the tutelage of Lori Cullum.

Cullum worked as an art teacher at Marguerite Vann Elementary school for seven years before moving to doing art lessons after the birth of her second child, according to her website loricullum.com.

Music blasted on the speakers and various snacks were made available to go with the coffee. The students followed the steps Cullum provided to create their own snowman to keep — thanks to the supplies provided by SAB. There was no shortage of work as everyone took to the canvases and spread the paint around in their own fashions to, hopefully, end up with a snowman to take home.

Kendra Regehr, the director

photo by Daniel Adams

UCA students add to their paintings during the Canvas and Coffee event in the UCA Student Center Ballroom Nov. 14. Led by local painter, Lori Cullum, students got to paint their own snowman while grabbing free cups of coffee and enjoying music.

of SAB, was extremely pleased with the turnout when visiting the X-period session. Regehr said the benefit of the event being free is something that attracts people to check it out.

“It’s just a great opportunity

for [students] to come in and get the creative juices flowing,” Regehr said. “It’s the end of the semester, so they can just have some fun with it.”

She mentioned they had to ensure that, with how popular

the activity usually is, there were no repeat visitors to the 7 p.m. session by scanning student IDs. Not only that, but it was just to ensure people got credited for coming should they check out several SAB activities

Hannah Hagerman places first in Miss UCA Pageant

By Sarah Coleman News Editor

Pageant season is something that is truly special in Arkansas and when the weather gets colder, competition is in full swing. The 2019 Miss UCA Scholarship Pageant took place Nov. 15 in Reynolds Performance Hall.

When most people think of pageants, they think of swimsuits, spray tans and singing.

Miss Arkansas Pageants, however, are not based off of these misconceptions.

While Miss UCA traditionally had a swimsuit portion to their competition, swimsuits were taken out of this year’s program.

After the singing and dancing, the interview questions and the opening acts were finished, junior Hannah Hagerman was crowned Miss UCA 2020. With this, she also won a prize of $6,000 in scholarships to use while she continues her education at UCA. Miss UCA is a pageant that is sponsored by Alpha Sigma Alpha and lies within the Miss Arkansas Pageant and Miss America

preliminary competitions.

Hagerman was in awe after being crowned.

“This is an absolute dream come true. It has been a goal of mine for years and I am over the moon that it is actually happening,’’ Hagerman said.

The other scholarship winners included first runner up junior Shelexis Sheldon, second runner up and Miss Congeniality junior Haley Morton, third runner up, overall vocal, alpha talent and bear spirit award sophomore Kelsey McGraw and

fourth runner up sophomore Baily Phillips.

A requirement for this pageant, like most others, is to have a platform for the bettering of society. Hagerman’s social impact initiative is Speak Out Against Sexual Assault.

“I have a whole list of things that I am planning on doing to promote my initiative,” Hagerman said. “I just want to make people aware and get people to have hard conversations about a hard topic; I want other victims to

by Kennadi Harris Staff Writer

From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 at the Snow Fine Arts Center, the UCA music department will have a trumpet studio recital.

Boston Brass

Group Drumming and Spontaneous Movement From 1 to 3 p.m. at the Student Center Amphitheater, the drum and dance club will meet for some fun in creating spontaneous interactive rhythms using a variety of percussion instruments from various cultures.

See Competiton- page 4

Importance of mental health prevalent in comedian’s act

Trumpet Studio Recital

From 1:30 to 2:30 Nov. 21 at the Snow Fine Arts Center, the UCA music department will have a general recital.

know they are not alone.”

Several other contestants were also very passionate about their social impact initiatives.

Sheldon hopes that even though she is not Miss UCA 2020, she can still make an impact in others lives with her initiative.

“If I can make an impact on at least one person and empower them to improve their mental health, it will give me hope that I can reach more [people]. Mental

ONE MAN SHOW

OPEN MIC

At 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 and 8:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Snow Fine Arts Center, the UCA music department will have a string chamber recital.

General Recital

See Art- page 4

SCHOLARSHIP

String Chamber Recital

At 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at Reynolds Performance Hall, Boston Brass will perform from their album “Christmas Bells Are Swingin.”

throughout the course of the semester.

Junior Hazel Bonilla, the

photo by Ronak Patel

Junior Briana Vongvilay tells the audience about the support UCA Feminist Union provides students on campus. Feminist Union hosted a poetry event for marganalized groups to speak about the struggles they face. w

Poetry slam lets students share voice, celebrate feminism

by Ronak Patel Photo Editor

UCA’s Feminist Union organized and hosted an open mic event titled “Feminism Isn’t A Dirty Word: A Poetry Slam” at the Student Center Amphitheater during X-period Nov. 15 to allow students to share their thoughts on topics like feminism, equality, human rights and advocacy.

Feminist Union sought to use the event to reduce the level of taboo associated with marganalized groups. Junior and president of Feminism Union, Bri Vongvilay, wanted to address the negative feelings some people have toward the word feminism.

“There’s a lot of different versions of feminism for each individual,” Vongvilay said.

“The one common thing we all have is being intersectional feminists. We just want to see each person succeed and be happy and live their truth.”

Although there are positive connontations of the word feminism, Vongvilay realizes there are negative ones as well.

“I know people think feminist are femi-‘nazis’ because they feel we are only here for the betterment of women, but we aren’t only here for the betterment of women — [we’re also here] for everyone else. We are focusing on issues other than ourselves and we are helping others in the process. To be an intersectional feminist, I believe you have to want the betterment of all people and not just your own people,” Vongvilay said.

Feminism Union wanted this event to allow others to feel

a sense of safety and community.

“I hope that people leave this event knowing that the Feminist Union is a place of safety and love. I hope this event helps people feel they can speak their truth even if their voice shakes,” Vongvilay said.

Spoken word poet senior Julia Pistole opened up about how sex workers can be feminists.

“There’s this traditional view of feminism that [says] sex workers can’t be feminist because they are overtly sexual or comfortable with their bodies,” Pistole said. “They think it’s automatically objectifying women. Throughout my time as a sex worker, I have learned that the strongest feminists I have met have been sex workers. It is a form of empowerment; you can reclaim your body as your own

rather than society’s. You can use your body as you want to and how it benefits you. Your body shouldn’t be about someone else.”

Pistole wanted to bring awareness to the freedoms women aren’t granted for their bodies.

“In the South, we have a big problem with rules in place to protect sex workers and that is why I ended up going to Vegas for a while. Vegas has rules and protections for sex workers.

In Arkansas, it is really looked down upon so the rules really [prevent] it [rather] than regulate it. It is hard in Arkansas not to get exploited,” Pistole said.

The poetry slam was hosted by the UCA Feminist Union, UCA Gender Studies Program and UCA Creative Writing Department.

Comedian, registered nurse and mental health advocate, Clayton Raithel came to UCA to perform his one-man comedy show, “SMILE” Nov. 11 in the Student Center Ballroom.

Hosted by the Student Activities Board, “SMILE” not only served as a comedy show, but also spread awareness about clinical depression. At the event, SAB gave attendees free stress balls and the UCA counseling center had a booth set up in the back of the room where students were welcome to get more information about mental health.

After asking Raithel why he choose to combine comedy with such a sensitive topic, he explained that it made the conversation about mental health more comfortable.

“One of the things I realized...I had a lot of friends that wanted to be some form of support system for me, but they didn’t know how,” Raithel said.

He further explained that it was hard for friends to know the appropriate limits to the conversation about his depression without triggering him. Raithel says one day when asked about his day, he casually mentioned his panic attack and made a joke about it.

“All of a sudden, all of the

See Awareness- page 4

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CAMPUS LIFE

“

November 20, 2019 /4

How do you feel going

into finals and what are you doing to prepare?

”

Story and photos by Ronak Patel and Matt Smothers

photo by Daniel Adams

UCA students focus on adding scarves to their paintings during the Canvas and Coffee event in the UCA Student Center Ballroom Nov. 14.

Led by local painter Lori Cullum, the students painted snowmen while grabbing free pastries and coffee at one of the most popular activities of the semester.

Art:

‘Canvas and Coffee’ grows in popularity

4 Continued from page

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novelty chair for SAB, implied that the crowd for the 1:30 show was surprisingly large given the circumstances.

“One-thirty depends on the size because it’s X-period and some people have other meetings, so 7 [p.m.] is usually more full,” Bonilla said.

Bonilla said the theme varies depending on the time of year; as the last one was a pumpkin. Regehr said that “Canvas and Coffee” was one of the most popular activities in general, behind things like Andy’s Custards or Pineapple Whip being delivered to the

Competition: 4 Continued from page

the session, students can look forward to seeing “Canvas and Coffee” return in the near future. The theme won’t be decided on until later, but the event will always attract several potential artists who want to enjoy working with free coffee.

Sophomore Psalm Dang

“I’m nervous but ready.

[I’m] excited to finish out the semester and see how I do.”

“I feel that finals will be tough this year. With the right amount of preparation and time management, it will be fine.”

Junior Nsisong Archibong

Sophomore Brice Simeu

“I’m trying to finish the

and I try to fill out the study guides and go through them and get an understanding of which ones I do know.”

“It’s stressful. I feel prepared. If you pay attention in class, you should feel confident. I’ll go back and look at my notes just to make sure I can be successful.”

Junior Jesse Trevino

Senior Alexa Willis

“I feel really good about finals. I definitely spend a lot of time working ahead. I’m not super stressed; one thing that I will do is look at the first few chapter of each class.”

“I feel really stressed, but ready to pursue what comes ahead for the next semester.”

Pageant participants gain confidence from contests

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health in college is so important,’’ Sheldon said.

Sheldon, like Hagerman, believes this pageant has truly changed her life.

“I first started pageants my freshman year of college, My

love for pageants has grown so much and I have grown so much by competing in them,’’ Sheldon said. “Pageants are allowing me to grow in public speaking, self confidence, and so much more.”

Hagerman has already

Awareness: 4 Continued from page

UCA campus. They had initially started with only one session when the “Canvas and Coffee” began four years ago, but they would have to added a second session to accommodate the growing crowd.

With the size of the crowd that attended for each one of

Freshman Eunic Poindexter

started her year as Miss UCA with The Board of Directors Brunch Nov.16. Hagerman is excited to see where this journey will take her.

“This campus has been my home for almost four years, it

has given me some of my favorite relationships, many life skills and lessons, and has taught me the importance of service. I just want to give back to the campus that has changed my life,’’ Hagerman said.

Comedian recounts struggle with depression, still brings laughs projects I’ve been assigned

3

tension was gone and it felt like [I] could talk totally honest about it,” Raithel said. “So I found that very therapeutic and it allowed me to access [my feelings] in a different way.”

Raithel’s one-man show was based on true events of how he dealt with his depression. It featured mostly monologues from Raithel, but he also told his story with the aid of sound effects and images on a projector.

His story began when he was a student at Princeton University where he received his undergraduate degree. At this point in time he had a mantra of “I’m the fucking man” and evaded any serious negative feelings. Then he met a love interest of the story, Chelsea. At a party, they made a connection and eventually got into a relationship. Raithel fell in love.

Things changed for Raithel after months of dating when Chelsea broke up with him due to long distance. Raithel was

heartbroken.

After graduating from Princeton, Raithel moved to New York City and started performing improv comedy. However, he would often excuse himself from public places to have “quick cries” in the bathroom due to the breakup with Chelsea.

Raithel was in a cycle of not eating, vomiting and crying. So he started seeing a therapist.

He gave his therapist the nickname “Sad Dick” since it sounded similar to his real name.

His therapist gave him coping mechanisms for his diagnosed depression such as “thought stopping,” which is when you pop yourself with a rubber band and yell “stop” anytime you have a negative thought. Raithel joked about this and how it brought him unwanted attention from others.

In the beginning of his mental health journey, Raithel endured a lot of crying and even a severe panic attack. After

having a serious talk with his dad after being found crying in the bathroom while he was at home for the holidays, Raithel decided to get on the antidepressant Zoloft. Raithel used this opportunity to joke about the possible side effects of Zoloft such as “worser depression.”

However, aside from a panic attack at the movie theater where he envisioned Anne Hathaway to be his ex, he said things got better for him.

After hearing that Chelsea had moved to New York City too, they decided to reconnect over a video call on Skype.

Raithel was rather hopeful the two would get back together, but Chelsea instead revealed she was romantically involved with Raithel’s former friend, Michael.

Raithel went into a deeper depression to the point of him having suicidal thoughts. His friends forced him to go to a silent meditation retreat, but it has no avail. After he got back

from his retreat, he released his frustration on his therapist.

Raithel compared his depression to a broken leg and says his therapist’s job is to fix his leg rather than ask him why he has it. His therapist told Raithel, instead of him fixing it, he should learn how to run in a new way due to his “injury.”

Raithel broke character to tell the audience he used to end the show here, but said there is now more to the story. Raithel told the audience he performed his one man show at Princeton Univerisity without getting triggered. After the show, he said a friend of his texted him saying Chelsea found out about the show and he then felt his depression coming back.

Raithel ended the show like this to let the audience know depression can be an ongoing cycle, but he is still learning how to deal with it. After the show, Raithel stayed and answered questions from the audience.

PEOPLE OF UCA: Caroline West

by Rose McGarrity Staff Writer Junior Caroline West is majoring in Spanish and is spending her fall 2019 semester in Quito, Ecuador at the University of Quito.

Leaving UCA for a semester was a step outside her comfort zone, especially because she hadn’t learned much about the culture in South America.

“All I knew about Ecuador before coming here is that it was in South America and had some cool volcanoes,” West said.

West has learned quickly learned about the culture in Ecuador. One thing she learned was that Ecuadorians live their life with less structure.

“Bus stops, crossing lanes in traffic, waiting in line at the grocery story, arriving to class — all of these things that have set rules and procedures in the U.S. are non-existent here,” West

said.

This was a challenge for West because she said she’s a “fast paced, rule following, stickto-the-plan type of girl.”

West said the lack of structure took away some sense of security.

“I couldn’t count on institutions anymore. I had to learn it’s okay to experience life as it comes, without having my plans set to the hour like I prefer to have them,” West said.

Despite the differences in culture, West has come to appreciate the lack of structure.

“When you live your life in a rush, it’s really hard to feel comfortable with sudden slower pace of life. I’ve grown to appreciate it through, as this is what I am here for,” West said.

Many of West’s experiences in Ecuador have been memorable — especially the ones she’s made while traveling across the country.

“My favorite memory was when I spent five days in the

Yasumi reserve in the Amazon with the Mandari Panga Quechua community,” West said.

When she was on the reserve, there was no water or electricity.

She stayed in a raised hut that was built by the community and ate by candlelight every night.

“We were so close to the sounds of nature and the beautiful creatures that inhabited the area. We saw giant tarantulas, toucans, owls, earthworms as big as snakes, an anaconda and monkeys,” West said.

When reflecting back on her time on the reserve, West said, “It was beautiful and also terrifying at times. [It was] an altogether incredible experience.”

Besides adjusting to the new culture, West has experienced other difficulties during her time in Ecuador.

The most challenging part of her semester was during “Las Manifestaciones,” which was a nationwide riot that lasted 12

days.

“The government had tried to remove subsidies from gas and diesel here in Ecuador. This resulted in [labor] unions and bus drivers and taxis haulting all work and blocking anyone trying to continue with it,” West said.

West also said food was running low at supermarkets and she couldn’t go outside because there were fires and tear gas.

West was unable to get back to her home for the first four days of the riots.

“I had to stay in a hostel in Quito and just listen to the rumors of the violence occurring just outside the walls where I was … It was definitely a challenge I never expected to encounter here, but [it] taught me a lot,” West said.

When reflecting on her experience in Ecuador so far, West said “it’s been incredible, beautiful, and challenging.”

photo courtesy of Caroline West

Junior Caroline West is currently studying Spanish in Ecuador at the University of Quito. In Ecuador, West has come to appreciate the culture and spent time on a reserve.

Sports

5

November 20, 2019

Women’s cross country takes 13th in Fayetteville

Upcoming Games Women’s Basketball

12 p.m., Nov. 22 at Tulane Word

by Kennadi Harris Staff Writer

Cross Country 6:30 p.m., Nov. 22 at the University of the Incarnate Word Men’s Basketball 9 p.m., Nov. 22 vs.

California Baptist Volleyball 6:30 p.m., Nov. 22 vs.

Texas A&M CC

Editor’s Take

photo by Marcus McClain

(From left) Senior Rayna Jefferies associate head coach John Newberry, sophomore Lexi Miller and senior Elizabeth Armstrong celebrate a score Nov.16 against Texas A&M Coprus Christi in the Prince Center. UCA’s last loss was Oct. 24.

UCA closes regular season red hot

by Marcus McClain Sports Editor

photo courtesy of si.com

Devonte Graham is a second-year guard from the University of Kansas and thriving this season.

The Hornets are currently holding the eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

Charlotte Hornets have potential to be NBA’s biggest story

by Marcus McClain Sports Editor

With All-Star guard Kemba Walker leaving the Charlotte Hornets in free agency, expectations for the team hit an all-time low.

Additionally, losing their second-leading scorer, Jeremy Lamb, put the team even further behind the eight-ball.

But with the team’s young players showing quick signs of growth and adaptation, the Hornets are proving to be an exciting young group.

Players like second-year guard Devontè Graham are showing major promise.

Last season, Graham spent most of the year in the NBA G-league, playing with the Greensboro Swarm, the Hornets’ affiliate.

But in his rookie campaign with the Hornets, Graham averaged only 4.7 points per game and only 2.7 assists. This season, Graham is averaging 18.8 points, 7.1 assists and shooting over 40 percent from the 3-point line.

Other rotational players like forwards Miles Bridges and Dewayne Bacon, along with guard Malik Monk, have all raised their points per game average this season.

Despite it still being early in the season, the Hornets are 6-8 and sitting in the eighth position in the eastern conference.

With the team’s young players showing real improvement, and the addition of experienced players like guard Terry Rozier, the Hornets have a real shot to be the NBA’s biggest surprise.

The Atlanta Hwaks and the Brookyln Nets are the two teams on the Charlotte’s heels, however, those teams are also dealing with season-ending injuries and suspensions to key players.

Having both individual and team success this season would make the Hornets one of the biggest stories in the NBA. And the potential is obviously there.

The UCA volleyball team ended the regular season pushing their winning streak to seven with victories over the University of the Incarnate Word Nov.14 and Texas A&M Corpus Christi Nov.16.

During this streak, the Sugar Bears have leaped from tenth to fifth in the Southland Conference standings with no signs of slowing down.

The Sugar Bears (16-13, 10-6 SLC) completed a 3-0 sweep of the Incarnate Word Cardinals (7-23, 3-13 SLC) on faculty/staff appreciation night and took a 3-1 victory over the

Islanders of Texas A&M Corpus Christi (18-11, 11-5 SLC) on an emotional senior day.

Seniors, outside hitter Abbie Harry and setter Elizabeth Armstrong came up big for the Bears in the final game of the regular season.

Harry finished with a game-high 21 kills, while Armstrong added a game-high 30 assists.

The bond within the program was on full display after defeating the Islanders as the team took a moment to embrace the journey they’ve been on together.

“It’s like any kind of war movie,” associate head coach John Newberry said. “You go through so many things, you’re

with each other 24/7 and when you get a chance to be around a family or organization were you all buy in, it’s a beautiful thing.

With these guys, they put in all the hard work. They came in every single day with a mindset knowing we weren’t that great a first, but we’re going to get better and better.”

Throughout this journey senior defensive specialist Rayna Jefferies believes carrying passion into each practice and game has helped the Sugar Bears evolve into the team they are now.

“We’ve really had to come together as a team, I think each and every single one of us has

See Volleyball- page 8

The UCA women’s cross country team ended its season on a high note at the NCAA South Central Regional hosted in Fayetteville Nov. 15.

UCA finished in 13th place at regionals with a score of 363.

This was the first time since 2013 the Bears placed at a regional meet and inside the top 15. The runners competed on a 6k course.

Eight runners from UCA participated, including freshman Bekah Bostian, sophomore Casey Gore, sophomore Gracie Hyde, freshman Tamera Reeves, freshman Sara Steimel, sophomore Kennedy Timmerman and senior Erin Woodward.

Hyde placed 39th, completing with the highest placement for UCA with a time of 22 minutes 18 seconds. “[Hyde’s] just a sophomore and hopefully we can make a national bid in a couple of years.

Other than Erin, everyone is sophomores and freshmen,” associate head coach Beau Theriot said to UCASports.

Steimel placed 67th with a time of 22:52.9, Reeveres placed 80th with a time of 23:09.0.

Woodward had a time of 23:19.9 coming in in 87th place, in her last event running as a Bear.

Freshman Julia Clark placed 103rd with a time of 23:36.2.

Gore placed 120th with a time of 24:15.3.

Bostian had a place of 128th with a time of 24:37.4.

The host, the University of Arkansas, was the number one team in the country going into the regional and took first place with a team score of 15.

The University of Texas followed behind in 2nd place with a score of 63. According to UCASports, Theriot is content with the Bears placement at regionals.

“We came in with higher expectations of finishing inside the top five. Today’s meet was highly competitive. Overall, it’s been a good season,” Theriot said. Before the regional, the Bears won their first Southland conference championship. All runners that participated in the championship beat their personal time records.

Woodland is satisfied with the results coming from her last season at UCA. “[The results were] the cherry on top after winning conference — Coming to regionals, being able to be with my team, and do our best. We left it all on the course.

It really end[ed] my career the way I wanted it and doing this as a family,” Woodward said to UCASports.

At the NCAA South Central Regional, the Bears competed against Abilene Christian, Arkansas State, Baylor, Houston, UIW, Lamar, Little Rock, LSU, McNeese State, North Texas and more.

AXING JACKS

Bears crush SFA in final regular season game at Estes Stadium

by Travis Gupton Staff Writer

The UCA football team’s defense helped them get back to their winning ways in a 30-7 victory over Stephen F. Austin State University Nov. 16 at Estes Stadium.

UCA (8-3, 6-2 SLC) responded in a big way after the loss to Southeastern Louisiana University last week at Estes Stadium and the Bears wanted to come out and play their game to get that bad taste out of their mouth.

“I told them at the beginning of the week, if we come win this game, nobody is going to remember that game,” head coach Nathan Brown said.

UCA’s defense was the big story of the game.

They caused havoc in the SFA (2-9, 2-6 SLC) backfield causing three fumbles and five sacks in the game.

“Getting turnovers on defense is huge for our momentum,” Brown said.

SFA fumbled the ball on their opening possession and gave UCA great field position in SFA territory.

photo by Marcus McClain

Junior wide receiver Dwight Blakey follows behind the block of senior tight end Luke Ross Nov. 16 against Stephen F. Austin State University. Blakey finished the game with four receptions, good for 49 yards.

UCA turned the early turnover into points when sophomore kicker Hayden Ray connected on his longest field goal of the season from 45 yards out with 10:48 left in the first

quarter, giving UCA a 3-0 lead.

“I trust my unit over all,” Ray said. “So it felt like such a breeze doing it.”

It was a sloppy first half for both teams as the Bears and

Lumberjacks turned the ball over multiple times but UCA was the only team that was able to come away with points off of those turnovers.

After a fumble recovery

by UCA deep in SFA territory, the Bears scored a 15-yard touchdown on a pass from sophomore quarterback Breylin Smith to junior tight end Sam Camargo with 7:58 left in the second quarter.

Ray’s extra point was good extending the lead to 10-0.

SFA turned the ball over again on their next drive due to a fumble and UCA found themselves in SFA territory once again with a chance to add more points.

With 4:02 left in the second quarter UCA found those points off a 26-yard field goal from Ray and led a lead of 13-0.

SFA quickly responded with points of their own on their next drive, thanks to a 71-yard touchdown pass from redshirt freshman quarterback Cam Arnold to freshman wide receiver Xavier Gipson with 2:43 left in the second quarter.

Senior kicker Storm Ruiz connected on the extra point cutting the UCA lead to 13-7.

After that, it was all UCA. On UCA’s second possession of the third

See Football- page 8

ICE BOX

Cold shooting costs Bear in matchup with Trojans in Farris

by Travis Gupton Staff Writer

The Little Rock Trojans took their first lead in the I-40 Showdown with a 76-56 victory over the UCA Bears in the Farris Center Nov. 17.

The Little Rock defense was one of the deciding factors in the game as they held UCA to only 26% from the field.

“We made everything tougher,” Trojan head coach Darrel Walker said.

The Trojans also crashed the glass in this game, grabbing multiple offensive rebounds and converting them into points.

The Trojans ended the game outrebounding UCA 45-35.

Sophomore guard Markquis Nowell had a standout game for the Trojans, scoring 25 points and dishing out seven assists.

“Once I see somebody open photo by Marcus McClain it’s my job to give it to them,” Freshman guard Masai Olowokere attacks the basket Nov.17 in the Farris Nowell said. “Without them Center against UALR. This game was the Bears’ third consecutive loss. shooting the ball, well, I wouldn’t

have had those seven assists.”

The Trojans shot just under 43% from the field for the game.

The first half was sloppy with both teams rushing shots and having multiple turnovers. The first field goal was not made until the 16:54 mark of the first half.

Little Rock took the lead early and never gave it back to the Bears.

The Trojans lead the game for over 34 minutes compared to UCA only having the lead for four minutes that came early in the first half. At the end of the first half, despite the Bear’s poor shooting, they only trailed by four.

The game was fairly close up until the 8:45 mark of the second half where Nowell and red-shirt junior guard Ben Coupet Jr. took over the game.

Nowell scored 10 points in the Little Rock run that sealed the win for the Trojans.

Coupet Jr. had 11 points in the same run — nailing three

3-pointers and slaming home a dunk.

After a rough first half of socring only two points, Coupet Jr. finished with 15 points in the game.

UCA showed fight in the game and their defense had some positive moments but they just seemed out of sorts throughout this game.

“I think the biggest thing is right now is we’re not listening,” head coach Russ Pennel said.

The Bears recorded 10 blocks in the game, but the Trojans were still able to score in the paint. The Trojans had the offensive advantage in the paint, scoring 24 points in the paint compared to eight for UCA. Sophomore center Hayden Koval was a force to be reckoned within the paint.

Koval finished with four blocks to go along with 10 points.

See Basketball- page 8

Opinion

6

ucaechoeditor@gmail.com

November 20, 2019

The Voice Ransacked by Ramsay; rest in peace Dirty Den

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Assistant News Editor

Matt Smothers Campus Life Editor

Aysha Dixon Opinion Editor

Macy Davis

Entertainment Editor

Marcus McClain Sports Editor

Allison Barber

Online/ Social Media Editor

Ronak Patel Photo Editor

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Landlords are the only beneficiaries of rental laws Arkansas is the only state in the United States required to return your deposit after 60 days, but that does not have any laws protecting the rights of they don’t have to if they find any ‘damage’ that the renter — and it’s shameful. needs repairing.

Arkansas is a rent “as is” state, meaning that as Last legislative session, HB1410 was long as a place has four walls and you agree to sign introduced and died in the House Insurance and a lease, a landlord can rent it out to you.

Commerce Committee. It would have given direct Landlords are not required to make any repairs guidelines for landlords and tenants to abide by. It to a property once a tenant is in it. If a property would have also ensured that every renter has a bad landlord, this can lead to several in Arkansas had the right to safe, out-of-pocket expenses for the tenant, who livable conditions. essentially would be fixing property that they One major reason Arkansas don’t own. doesn’t have any renter’s rights is If the tenant can’t afford or doesn’t want to because of lobbying and spending endure the cost of repairs, they can have an done on behalf of the Arkansas inspection done by a state agency. Even Realtors Association. then, there is no guarantee that things According to will get fixed. It could even result in followthemoney.org, in condemnation of the property that the past 20 years, the would leave the tenant without a association has given home, leaving them in an even worse almost $1.2 million in position. campaign donations The Arkansas Landlord/ to candidates running

by Kaitlin Benight Tenant handbook specifically for elected office Staff Writer states that “if a landlord feels that in Arkansas. Last a tenant has violated the terms election season alone, of a lease or rental agreement, they contributed either by failure to pay rent or otherwise, an $58,100 to candidates. According to Channel7, unlawful detainer proceeding may be started,” the association donated to almost every member of giving the tenant three days to leave the premises the House Insurance and Commerce Committee. before facing legal ramifications. The wording on Corporate interests should not go before the this is particularly troubling, as it leaves reasons for interests of the constituents that elected these eviction vague and ultimately up to the landlord. members of congress. While there are many great Landlords are allowed to charge up to the cost landlords who treat their tenants right, we still do of two months’ rent for deposit. By law, they are not deserve having zero protection under law.

Instagram’s removing visible likes is both good and bad In the age of social media, getting a like is against the removal of visible likes are claiming that a pretty big deal. For most people, the goal of it is just another way that society is making kids posting is to get a lot of likes. This is strange in softer. My general rebuttal to this is, “Why are we nature, because it means the overall goal of social trying so hard to make sure children are hard before media, for most people, isn’t to share a part of they really need to be?” yourself with the world — it’s to share yourself in Instagram has been working hard in many a way that earns enough likes for you to be pleased different aspects of the app to make their site a with yourself. more positive environment. The company started Instagram reportedly will be test driving the in the fall, with blocking weight loss related content removal of visible likes from posts in the United for people 18 and under. I believe this will not be States. Instagram has done this in several other the last modification Instagram makes to create countries, but in Canada, this has become a an environment focused more on creations than permanent change. creators.

There are a lot of mixed reviews While this sounds like it could be about this particular thing. People excellent, I believe influencers — people generally seem to be okay with this, who work full time to influence others but it also takes away the traditional on Instagram by getting paid to sense of social media. To clear advertise products and brands to some things up, users will still their high number of followers be able to see who likes their — will have to move on to other posts and the number of likes platforms in order to stay it gets, as well as the in-depth successful. statistics on a business Business Insider profile. However, your announced last week that followers will not know Instagram would be testing

by Sarah Coleman how many likes you are the removal of visible likes News Editor getting. in the U.S. like they had in I think this is a great India, Australia and Canada. idea. I love Instagram and I love sharing little However, at this point in time Instagram has not square pictures of some of the happiest and best removed visible likes yet. I do not know what social moments in my life. I like that all of my favorite media with less social interaction looks like, but I things are on one app. I love that it is a place where assume that it is a huge readjustment for many. creativity can bloom. However, there are also While we may all have better mental health by several things I don’t enjoy about Instagram. removing the worry of getting likes, I believe this I don’t like when things that aren’t meant to notion is most helpful in the development of minors, be competitive become competitive. Growing up but not necessarily a good thing for people who in the age of social media, I have had to experience make all or most of their income from Instagram, a lot of competitiveness. Many people who are sponsorship deals and influencing in general.

With the renovations of Bear’s Den Pizza dies a campus tradition.

Although the restaurant formerly known as the “dirty den” was widely known for serving substandard pizza, having cheap drink specials, and hosting Thursday night dance parties and trivia nights — it was these things that made going to Bears Den a coming-of-age moment for UCA students.

Underage students only dreamed of trying two-dollar drafts in the over packed, understaffed restaurantturned-bar from the stories told by older peers. They heard of the questionable restrooms and lukewarm pizza served to the sound of someone performing Lil Wayne’s “A Milli” or Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” every karaoke night.

The rite of passage to cross the street and get charged an overpriced cover is a tradition that the next cohort will not get the joy of experiencing.

Getting drinks paid for on your 21st birthday by strangers that will you sheepishly pass on campus the next day is a feeling that died when the worn-out booths and old floor tiles were replaced.

According to news reports, not only did the dining room get a makeover, but the kitchen is now decked out with new equipment. It’s disappointing becasue the old fryers and cooking oil that clearly needed to It’s be changed understandable gave the food a little that pizzazz. management Maybe we at Bear’s Den enjoyed our fries, wanted to mozzarella sticks and update the jalapeno look, but was poppers the sentimental tasting exactly the value of the same. restaurant even The Dirty considered?

Den was a tradition that nobody asked to be changed. No UCA students care about the new $10 artichoke dip or washbin sinks in the bathroom — did anybody even use the sink in the old Den? That’s debatable, but one thing is true: the Den was somewhere that students went to release the pressures of college. It was a no-judgement zone where people clapped even if you sang off-key and the only acceptable place to pay for beer in quarters. Waitresses and security guards became first-namebasis friends and bartenders eventually memorized your order.

Now, students will have to deal with unnecessary long lines and sharing picnic tables, barstools and booths with people who are only there to say that they ate at the place that celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay redecorated.

It’s understandable that management at Bear’s Den wanted to update the look, but was the sentimental value of the restaurant even considered?

General Manager Jonathan Phelps told the Log Cabin Democrat that their new vision is to optimize the number of customers that visit during the day.

That’s surprising because it would seem like the amount of money just from cover charges would be an income the restaurant would want to capitalize on and keep as tradition. Instead, smaller yet more expensive pizzas have replaced one-dollar wells.

Every college campus has a go-to nightlife spot. Where will that be for UCA students now? We’re already suffering in a dry county with limited age-appropriate options, but the bar at Old Chicago or Chili’s does not compare to the old Dirty Den. Graffiti walls paired with the smell of old parmesan and beer is now a thing of the past. Friendships made from having to hold broken bathroom stall doors closed for strangers and Instagram pictures in the wall-length mirror will eventually seem prehistoric. Bear’s Den seemed like the least likely victim of gentrification. Now, bright lights and leather barstools have replaced black paint and sticky ketchup bottles.

Now, like abandoned puppies, UCA students have to make a home elsewhere.

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Entertainment

7

November 20, 2019

New This Week Movies

Doja Cat drops ‘Hot Pink’; album becomes fan favorite

by Kennadi Harris Staff Writer

November 22 — 21 Bridges, directed by Brian Kirk, starring Chadwick Boseman, J.K. Simmons, Sienna Miller

Singer and rapper Doja Cat shows the world the full extent of her talents in her album “Hot Pink,” released Nov. 7. If you have never heard the name Doja Cat, you might remember her November 22 — 3022 (2019), as that girl who went viral for directed by John Suits, Ramez her song about being a cow, “MOOO!,” in 2018. The song Silyan, starring Miranda Cosgrove, was funny and entertaining, Kate Walsh, Omar Epps but it was not a serious representation of who Doja is as an artist. The album perfectly captures Doja’s artistry — fun, November 22 — Frozen II, melodic, provocative and directed by Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee, starring Kristen Bell, Jonathan eccentric.

Doja starts off the album Groff, Idina Menzel with her second single, “Cyber Sex.” This track has a playful feel that is accented by a techno November 22 — A Beautiful Day feel. She expresses her sexuality in the song, even though it’s in the Neighborhood, directed confined to being expressed

by Marielle Heller, starring Tom virtually.

Hanks, Matthew Rhys, Chris Cooper This is the first album that Doja has featured widely-known artists in Music hip-hop, which is exciting. I was even more excited to see rapper Smino featured on the November 22 — Ballet Slippers next track, “Won’t Bite.” In this — Animal Collective song, Doja embraces her fun, flirty side as well as her sassy side. She urges her partner to November 22 — Hyperspace — come closer to her and plays Beck into her what she calls her “cat” persona, referring to herself as November 22 — Cotillions — Billy Corgan November 22 — Everyday Life — Coldplay November 22 — Reflections — Hannah Diamond

Netflix November 22 — Dino Girl Gauko - Netflix Family, created by Akira Shigino, starring Naoko Matsui, Hiroshi Kamiya, Kazue Ikura November 22 — Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings - Netflix Original, produced by Dolly Parton, starring Dolly Parton, Julianne Hough, Kimberly Williams-Paisley November 22 — The Dragon Prince: Season 3 - Netlfix Family, created by Aaron Ehasz, Justin Richmond, starring Jack De Sena, Sasha Rojen, Jason Simpson November 22 — High Seas: Season 2 - Netflix Original, directed by Ramón Campos, Gema R. Neira, starring Ivana Baquero, Jon Kortajarena, Alejandra Onieva November 22 — Meet the Adebanjos: Seasons 1-3, directed by Debra Odutuyo, starring Wale Ojo, Yetunde Oduwole, Andrea Ama Aboagye, Moji Bamtefa

November 22 — Nailed It! Holiday!: Season 2 - Netflix Original directed by Steve Hryniewicz, starring Nicole Byer, Jacques Torres Beverly Blanchette

November 22 — Nobody’s Looking - Netflix Original, created by Daniel Rezende, Carolina Markowicz, Teodoro Poppovic, starring Victor Lamoglia, Júlia Rabello, Kéfera Buchmann

5 Thanksgiving dishes ranked worst to best List compiled by Aysha Dixon Opinion Editor

a “good kitty” who won’t bite — unless you wrong her. Smino complements the track well, coming in after a short pause in the song. His signature melodic rap style is the perfect track for this song.

The third single on the album, “Rules,” is one of my personal favorites and shows a new, fierce side of Doja. On this song, her braggadocious and bold lyrics blend with a sharp, riveting beat to make an instant hit. Doja definitely stepped out of her comfort zone with this track and it worked.

The second verse makes the song even hotter. Her flow is so engrossing, listeners won’t be able to help but nod their head to her racy lyrics. This song will be one of Doja’s classics.

Another song, “Bottom Bitch,” serves as an unorthodox girl anthem. It definitely pays homage to early 2000s grunge-pop music, feature guitar-riffs that will make you think it’s an Avril Lavigne song.

This song is laid-back, but it still has enough energy for listeners to chant the chorus playfully with friends.

The energetic and groovy track “Say So” is followed by another collab with rapper Gucci Mane in “Like That.”

This is another favorite. Doja and Gucci rap about how they

want to be treated by their partner. This song is a fun fusion between pop, R&B and rap. Doja sings the chorus with a breathy and alluring tone that transitions to an energetic charismatic tone on her verse.

The song has a high tempo that will make listeners want to dance and hit replay.

The song “Talk Dirty” has all the elements of a traditional Doja song — suggestive lyrics, intricate melodies and sassy raps all over an airy, transcendent beat. It doesn’t disappoint. In “Addiction,” Doja gets a little vulnerable. She admits to her partner that she is broken and addicted to the thrills of some illegal substances. Despite the lyrical content, this is another fun song. It has an interesting futuristic sound that makes the song, well, addicting.

The song “Streets” slows things down a little and produces a haunting, seductive beat. Doja sings about not finding anyone like her partner.

She only raps during the second verse. However, she strongly delivers a flow that makes the song reach another level of satisfying.

“Shine” is one of those songs that feels like it should be played at the end of a movie when you get the happy ending you wanted. The layered beat of

photo courtesy of allhiphop.com

Doja Cat holds a pair of hedge cutters standing in front of a picket fence for the cover photo of her new album, “Hot Pink.” The album is now available on all music streaming services.

the song is what makes it stand out so much. The “Shine” beat features intricate melodies, a triumphant piano, a nice 808 beat and a few other elements to make a song that is blissful yet still bangin’. Doja delivers some satisfying vocals and bars to this beautiful song as well.

Doja delivers another satisfying song with “Better Than Me” and ends the album with her first single “Juicy.”

This original version of Juicy was featured on the deluxe version of her previous album, “Amala.” However, a verse

from rapper Tyga replaces her original second verse. I personally prefer the original version, but nevertheless, the song is still fun and vibrant.

With her rise in fame, Doja Cat has proven she deserves time in the spotlight with this album. She keeps her signature eccentric and blissful style she’s had since the beginning of her career and she shows growth by producing music more complex and expansive.

“Hot Pink” is now available on all major music-streaming services.

H I G H LY A N T I C I PAT E D

JOHN CENA

‘Playing with Fire’ lacks plot points, misses opportunity

by Hannah White Assistant News Editor

Do you remember the “Fred: The Movie” released in 2010? John Cena’s acting skills have been highlighted in many movies, but, mostly, only in comedies like “Fred” within recent years.

However, “Playing with Fire” came out Nov. 8 and stars Cena in a less-than-brilliant showcase of his acting. I personally prefer his few-line performances as youtuber Fred Figglehorn’s imaginary dad to his starring role in the new film.

“Playing with Fire” tells the story of the chaos that ensues when the firefighters of a rural fire station rescue three children and are forced to babysit them due to an approaching storm.

The concept behind the family-friendly film is comical, but its execution fails to reach the story’s full comedic potential. The intro of the movie prepared viewers for a humorous contrast of a few whiny children and a squad of masculine smoke jumpers — played by Keegan-Michael Key, John Leguizamo and Tyler Mane — who proudly put themselves in danger to serve their community.

However, the men, after the very first scene, prove to be excessively childish. Though their childlike impatience and their fondness of “My Little Pony” are humorous, the film could have been far more comical with a concrete difference between the men and the rescued children. Instead of a story about how firemen learn to care for kids, the movie was more of a whining duel between the men and the children.

John Cena played the department’s superintendent Jake Carson. Carson is a strict and controlled man, but he maintains many immature tendencies. His character did not evolve much over the course of the film, though the viewer discovered more about his sensitivities and past trauma.

1. Casseroles I have no problem with casseroles, but it’s the dish that I am least likely to ask for seconds of. It’s one of those dishes that if my mother didn’t cook it, I probably wouldn’t like it. For some reason, people think their casserole is superior to all others and insist that you try it.

Besides, if casserole is not made on the same day as Thanksgiving dinner, it gets mushy, or the ingredients blend together too much for my liking. Green bean, potato, sweet potato, broccoli, cheese fritter — it doesn’t matter — do not force your casserole onto my plate.

His character remained, somehow, impersonal, unrealistic and underdeveloped to the end of the film. Of course, there was a subtle thread of romance in the film that occurs between Carson and Dr. Amy Hicks (Judy Greer) — an easily-offended scientist with a toad obsession. The two had gone on dates previously that had not gone well. They were brought closer together with the help of the children and the other men at the station. It was a predictable and uninteresting love story.

Another way in which “Playing with Fire” failed to be as entertaining as its story concept could have allowed was in its setting, which had no depth and provided nothing interesting to the story whatsoever. Aside from two fire-fighting scenes and one brief store outing, the entirety of the story takes place in the dull fire station and the area surrounding it.

This was appropriate to paint the picture that the characters were stranded in this building because of the weather, but more visual intrigue could have easily been incorporated to keep the viewer’s interest.

The story also takes place over such a brief amount of time. All the combined varietylacking areas made the film appear to have the quality of an episode of a Nickelodeon television show rather than what is supposed to be a high-quality film that anyone wants to pay $10 to see in a theater.

As the film concludes, viewers part with the characters on a positive note. The necessary attributes to make an entertaining film were all there — a story with a happy ending and laughter-inducing scenes — but this film had so much more potential and could have achieved it by going more in depth with the storyline and characters themselves.

“Playing with Fire” is rated PG and playing in theaters everywhere.

2. Turkey I know what you’re thinking — turkey is the main event at Thanksgiving dinner. This might be true, but I think turkey is too traditional. My family typically cooks cornish game hens during the holiday season, but I’ve also had duck, salmon, glazed ham and brisket as turkey alternatives. Since I don’t agree with the original meaning behind Thanksgiving, biting into a turkey leg for dinner on Nov. 28 only reminds me of the genocide of Native Americans and the land that was stolen from them by the Pilgrims.

photo courtesy of rap-up.com

Rapper Tori Lanez sports a Celtics varsity bomber jacket. Lanez’s album, “Chixtape 5,” is now available on all music streaming services.

Lanez drops ‘Chixtape 5’; eight Grammy award winners featured on popular track

by Marcus McClain With the release of the new Disney+ streaming service — coupled with Netflix and Nickelodeon announcing a new partnership — the early 2000s nostalgia is in the air and at the front of everyone’s minds.

Recently, Tory Lanez released a highly-anticipated and 2000s-inspired soundtrack that took the nostalgia to new heights Nov. 15. The fifth installment of Lanez’s “Chixtape” series allows fans to travel back into the beloved era of using sidekick cell phones, burning CD’s and watching 106&Park.

The “Chixtape” series pays homage to classic songs of past eras, with the previous installment, “Chixtape 4,” focusing on the 90s. However, all prior chapters of the series were released as mixtapes.

Lanez took “Chixtape 5” two steps further, making it the first album officially released.

Additionally, the original artists from each of the covered singles are featured on the new versions.

In an interview with Genius, Lanez admitted to

being nervous about asking the original artists to be featured on “Chixtape” and the disbelief of getting them all.

“The more I did it, the list got bigger and bigger,” Lanez said. “And eventually looking back on it, we had 16 different artists on 16 classics. In retrospect, it’s just dope to see the gap being bridged.”

Lanez also spoke about the impact of having these features on “Chixtape 5.”

“There’s like at least eight Grammy-award winning artists all on the same project and they’ve probably never all been on the same project in their time of dropping albums,” Lanez said. “So to have that in 2019 is super special.”

Making this project a released album forced the wait for its release, but “Chixtape 5” is well worth the wait.

Tampering with timeless hit singles of the past is a task many would shy away from, but Lanez has proved to be the king of conquering the covers of each song throughout the series.

“Chixtape 5” features remakes of Chris Brown’s “Take You Down,” Lloyd’s “You,” Snoop Dog’s “Beautiful,” Pretty Ricky’s “Your Body” and

numerous others.

Lanez makes sure not to disappoint, adding new elements to each sampled song and including a style only he can provide.

With songs like “Love Sounds The Edge” and “The Cry,” Lanez displays his own advancements as an artist while still capturing the essence of each song’s glorious sample.

“Chixtape 5” is an album that can be played from start to finish without feeling the need to skip a single track.

Lanez also played his cards perfectly with the album’s cover. Ashanti graces the album’s pink-tinted artwork in a bedroom with walls covered in magazine cutouts. This adds to the throwback feeling of the album before the audience’s first listen.

When adding to an album series that stood for so long, topping the previous chapter is always an uphill battle.

However, with “Chixtape 5,” Lanez clearly produced the best portion of the sequence and the most masterful creation of his career.

“Chixtape 5” can be found on all streaming services including Apple Music, Spotify, Google Play and Tidal.

3. Cornbread dressing If your mother is like mine, then every year brings about a new and unnecessary ingredient to her cornbread dressing.

Just when I think she could not possibly add anything else to top last year’s twenty-something ingredient to the dish, she waits for my reaction as I bite into a fork-full of food. Not that I ever notice a difference, but it’s her anticipation of my reaction that takes away the fun of enjoying the dish. Yes mom, sure, I can tell that you used Brazilian black pepper this year. After starving myself all day to pig out on dinner, I wouldn’t care what new ingredient she used.

4. Cranberry sauce Cranberry sauce has been receiving a lot of unnecessary slander on social media this year. This is not only the most underrated condiment on the Thanksgiving table, but the most necessary. My preferred ratio of cranberry sauce to dressing is two tablespoons of cranberry sauce for every one tablespoon of dressing. Although I am in the minority, being that I actually enjoy canned cranberry sauce, I can deal with a homemade version as long as it’s not what I call the “crunchy” kind. If I have to chew on the cranberry sauce so I don’t swallow a whole cranberry, then it’s probably time to go back to the cutting board.

5. Pie Literally any kind of holiday pie. Pecan pie, sweet potato pie, heavenly pie, pumpkin pie, apple pie, lemon meringue pie — are you drooling yet? I think pie is my favorite Thanksgiving dish because not only do I have a sweet tooth, but I believe it’s pretty hard to ruin a pie. The ingredients are simple, you just stick the pie in the oven and wait.

So, when my distant relatives feel the need to force their pie on me, I feel confident in their baking abilities. Out of my 22 years as a thanksgiving pie connoisseur, I do not think that I have ever had a pie I disliked.

Sports Editor

ucanews.live

SPORTS

8/ November 20, 2019

UCA STATS CORNER

SPORT Football

OPPONENT

RESULT

Stephen F. Austin

30-7 (L)

(8-3, 6-2)

UALR

63-48 (L)

(1-2)

3-1 (W)

(16-13, 10-6)

1-0 (L)

(10-7-1, 4-1)

Women’s Basketball Volleyball

Texas A&M Corpus

Men’s Soccer

Christi Georgia State

RECORD

SPLIT OUTCOMES

photo courtsey of Erin Woodward

Senior Erin Woordward competes in one of her final events for UCA. Woodward has been a member of the UCA cross country team since her freshman year.

Senior athlete leaves her mark on UCA

by Lauren McCabe Editor

Senior Erin Woodward is dedicated to making strives on and off the track.

Recently named to the Southland Conference Outdoor Track and Field All-Academic team, Woodward maintains honors with a 4.0 GPA as a physical therapy [PT] major, while also achieving a nod to the Second-Team All-SLC with her seventh-place finish on a 6K course and a personal-best time of 21 minutes 44.1 seconds Nov. 1.

Originally from Little Rock, Woodward began her journey into cross country and track in the eighth grade.

Soon enough, it became the only sport she chose to focus on.

“I have always wanted to become a collegiate athlete since a very young age, so it was all about becoming the best athlete I could to make that dream come true,” Woodward said.

When considering what college to attend, Woodward said she was drawn to UCA the most.

“I came to UCA because it felt like home. I honestly did not expect to come [to UCA].

I had already found some other universities I was interested in running for, but I could not deny my immediate love for the campus and the team, so I knew my choice was an easy one.”

With the women’s cross country’s recent winning streak, Woodward was easy to talk to about the team that inspires her

to do great.

“My journey for the past few years on the cross country and track team here at UCA has been one filled with lots of ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Woodward said. “I have loved every second of it and am grateful for this experience.

The coaches and my teammates push me to be my best self everyday and to never give up on myself.”

Just as her fellow team members, Woodward was excited when the woman’s team took home the Southland Conference title.

“My favorite memory [this year] is when we found out we won the Southland Conference,” Woodward said. “We worked so hard all of these years and always fell short, so this year we set our eyes on the goal and never gave up, even when it got hard.

At the race, I started hearing people screaming, so I knew that the winner had been officially announced. I turned around and realized everyone screaming was my team and then one of the girls told me we had won and we all huddled together screaming, laughing and crying together because we pulled off something crazy and believed in ourselves.”

Outside of her life in sports, Woodward has a passion for physical therapy.

“I am passionate about helping people to overcome and recover to live the life they dream, so that is why I cannot wait to become a PT,” Woodward said. “[In ten years] I see myself

Volleyball:

working as a PT with either a sports team or in a spinal cord injury rehab center, with a family, still running road races.”

Another passion Woodward is drawn to is art.

“I love art. I love to paint, but my favorite is to draw. I used to do art competitions and to this day I continue to draw in my free time,” Woodward said.

It’s clear to those who meet Woodward that she is one for making connections and memories through campus involvement, including with UCA’s Chi Alpha ministries.

“My faith means a lot to me and I have found that Chi Alpha has helped me find even more great friends and a way for me to continuing growing in my faith,” Woodward said.And while Woodward admitted that track and cross country does take up much of her free time, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“As have all athletes here at UCA, I have given up a lot of other opportunities, my time and social life to practice and recover to be the best runner I can be. So running that time and receiving the conference honors is just affirmation that the hard work is always worth it,” Woodward said.

“Personally, I have had to work through a lot of medical issues and was told I should give up running, but as the stubborn runner I am, I obviously didn’t. I am so glad I made that choice. When you find something you love and brings you joy like running does for me, putting your whole heart into it is always worth it.”

A focus shift powers UCA’s hot streak

4 Continued from page 5 bought into this program,” senior defensive specialist Rayna Jefferies said. “We’ve come into every practice and played with heart. We’ve all come in knowing we’re going to make each other better every day and hopefully get a championship ring at the end of it.”

From a strategic standpoint, Newberry believes swifting the team’s focus was a key factor in turning their season around.

“At the beginning of the season we focused a little more on what the other team was going

to do,” Newberry said. “And as we got more into our games, we realized we were going to need to worry more about ourselves and our side of the court. We knew everything else would start to fall into place. We’re being consistent right now in many areas we needed to improve on.

We can’t be anymore excited to be in that consistent [position of] aggression and determination right now.”

Heading into the Southland Conference Tournament, hosted

by UCA in the Farris Center, the

Basketball:

Sugar Bears are full with belief in themselves.

“Our confidence is definitely there,” Jefferies said, [The winning streak] has helped us a lot with having a championship mindset. We’re just flowing really well.”

After closing out the regular season strong, the Sugar Bears has set themselves up for a rematch with the Islanders Nov.22 at 6:30 .

If UCA advances, they could face New Orleans or the number one seeded SFA.

Turnovers and paint points hinder Bears

4 Continued from page 5

Freshman forward Eddy Kayouloud lead the Bears with 14 points.

Kayouloud was also active on defense recording two steals and one block in the game.

However, turnovers were a problem for the Bears in this

loss. The 18 UCA turnovers were converted into 17 poins for Little Rock.

Additionally, despite the Bears forcing UALR into 14 turnovers of their own, only three points came from it.

The Trojans dominated the

paint in the game scoring 24 points in the paint compared to UCA’s eight points.

Next up, UCA will travel to Riverside, California to compete in the Empire Classic against California Baptist Nov. 22 at 9 p.m.

photo by Ronak Patel

Freshman forward Terri Crawford raises up for a jumper Nov. 12 against Hendrix College in the Farris Center.

Crawford led the Sugar Bears with 24 points and five rebounds.

Sugar bears smash Hendrix; fall to LR

by Ronak Patel Photo Editor

At their first home game, UCA women’s basketball dominated from the start and beat Hendrix by 76 points with a final score of 104-28. After picking up this win the Sugar Bears now sit at (1-1).

UCA came out strong and were able to go on a 17-0 run that Hendrix was unable to counter. In the first half, UCA’s offense was incredibly efficient, shooting 68% from the field. By halftime, the score was 61-18 and the Bears finished the game by outscoring Hendrix 43-10 in the second half.

A big factor in the Bear’s efficiency on offense was freshman forward Terri Crawford as Hendrix had no answer for her on the inside.

Crawford finished the game with 24 points on 10-11 shooting from the field.

In addition to being efficient from the field, Crawford was also efficient from the charity stripe, going a perfect 4-4.

Crawford credits her

teammates for finding ways to get her the ball in the post and helping to get her in position to score.

“It was just team oriented,” Crawford said. “Our coach told us we had to work as a team and move the ball around and get the post to work down low. We did that and moved the ball around, [and] got the open shots. We executed the game plan and got the post open. We kept working.”

In her first game in the Farris Center, Crawford felt welcomed by the fans.

“It’s my home court, so I took a lot of pride in it. I want to make sure I’m working hard not just for myself but for my coaches and teammates. It’s a warm experience being around people from the community. It helped a lot,” Crawford said.

Still, UCA had a diverse scoring attack to go along with Crwaford’s performance. There were three other double digit scorers.

Sophomore guard Shay Johnson and junior forward Hannah Langhi both scored 17,

while senior guard Taylor Sells chipped in 15 points.

On the other end of the court, UCA stifled Hendrix’s offense and kept the Warriors from developing a rhythm. UCA kept them out of the paint and didn’t allow any clean looks from the 3-point line.

Hendrix finished the night on an abysmal 29% from deep and 23% from the field overall.

The Sugar Bears also won the turnover battle, committing only 11 while they forcing Hendrix into 31.

The Bears weren’t able to build on their momentum from their dominant win over Hendrix and gave the UALR Trojans their first win of the season.

In their 63-48 loss to the Trojans the Bears were unable to score.

In the third quarter, the Bears were held to just four points and weren’t able to survive their drought. Junior forward Hannah Langhi led the Bears in scoring with 11 points.

The Sugar Bears’ next game is Nov. 22 against Tulane University.

CONCLUSION

UCA falls to Georgia State in semi-final

by Kaitlin Benight Staff Writer

The UCA Bears soccer team (10-7-1, 4-1 SBC) lost 1-0 against Georgia State in the semi-final round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in South Carolina Nov. 15.

“We played really well, well enough to win. We outshot our opponent but we just didn’t execute in the final phase,” head coach Ross Duncan said.

The Bears outshot the Panthers 21-5, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win.

While they had several opportunities to score, either Georgia State’s keeper made sure the ball stayed out of the net or the Bears just couldn’t find it.

“The game went well, but we switched off in that one second and all it took was a hard-driven

Football:

shot to make the game different,” junior defensive midfielder Nate Lancaster said.

The Bears gave Georgia State only one chance to score— coming in the 76th minute of the game during the second half— and they took full advantage, taking a 1-0 lead.

Freshman midfielder Alexi Morel shot a left-footed bullet strike four minutes later, giving the Bears an opportunity to tie things up.

Unfortunately, Georgia State’s keeper, redshirt-junior Paul Tyson, was unstoppable.

This is the fifth consecutive season Georgia State has made the Sun Belt tournament finals.

“We’re a very stout team and you could see that in the last part of the game we were dominating,” Lancaster said.

Although the Bears lost, they

still had a very high ranking in the conference and aspirations of being selected to play in the NCAA Tournament.

For the first time in UCA soccer history, they have a strong chance at an at-large bid.

Although Duncan says it’s more likely that the tournament will be hosted elsewhere, there is a possible chance for UCA to host the tournament, depending on how things go during the rest of the Sun Belt tournament.

“I’m confident with our team. One conference game doesn’t define our season, and everyone will see that in this national tournament game,” said Lancaster.

However, the Bears were not given the at-large bid into the NCAA tournament Nov. 18, putting an end to their 2019 season.

Bears close out SFA with late touchdowns

4 Continued from page 5

quarter the Bears went on a long drive that ended in points.

With 5:45 left in the third quarter Ray kicked a 35-yard field goal to extend the Bears lead to 16-7.

UCA’s defense came up big in the third quarter when SFA attempted to punt and junior wide receiver Dwight Blakey blocked the punt that UCA

recovered at the SFA 4-yard line.

UCA scored on the next play with a 4-yard touchdown from senior running back Carlos Blackman with 1:03 left in the third quarter.

Ray’s extra point was good giving UCA a 23-7 lead.

UCA found the endzone one more time in this game on an 8-yard touchdown pass from

Smith to freshman wide receiver Tyler Hudson with 13:30 left in the game.

After Ray’s extra point, the Bears’ lead was 30-7, sealing the win.

UCA will play the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio with a chance to become co-Southland Conference Champions Nov. 23.