Abilene Christian beats Central Arkansas, 87-70

ABILENE, Texas (AP) Austin Cooke and Harrison Hawkins scored 22 points apiece to lead Abilene Christian to an 87-70 win over Central Arkansas in the Southland Conference opener for both teams on Sunday.

It was a career-high for Cooke, who made 4 of 7 3-pointers and 8 of 8 free throws.

LaDarrien Williams added 16 points for Abilene Christian (7-7) and Jalen Little had seven assists.

Jordan Howard's 3 with 16 seconds left in the first half capped a 10-4 run by Central Arkansas (0-12) and pulled the Bears within 38-34. Parker Wentz hit a momentum shifting 3 just 10 seconds later and Abilene Christian led by seven at the break.

Cooke made three 3-pointers and scored 11 points during a 14-4 run to open the second for a 55-38 lead.

Central Arkansas, which has lost 14 straight dating back to last season, trailed by at least 12 the rest of the way.