The cell phone of Central Arkansas women's basketball coach Sandra Rushing buzzed last week with welcome news.
"Coach, Abilene lost," the messages from her players read.
News of Southland Conference leader Abilene Christian losing to Lamar last Thursday was the next best thing to UCA beating Abilene Christian, which UCA won't get an opportunity to do during the remainder of the regular season.
UCA (19-2, 9-1) is tied with Abilene Christian (19-3, 10-1) in the loss column despite losing to Abilene Christian 61-49 on Jan. 2 and trailing by a half game in the standings. But UCA can do no worse than a first-place tie in the Southland if it wins its final eight conference games.