CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas has added a second Australian student-athlete to the roster in guard Harrison Beauchamp, according to UCA coach John Shulman.

Beauchamp is a 6-foot-6 freshman guard from Victoria, Australia who most recently played at Marcelin College.

He is a current NBL1 player, was captain of the Australian U17 national team, was the 2024 FIBA World Cup group state Most Valuable Player (where he averaged 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals) and was captain of the Australian National Team that won gold in Qatar in 2023.

Beauchamp is a three-time gold medal captain of the U16-U18 Victorian national championship teams and was the Victoria Junior Basketballer of the Year in 2022 and 2024.

“Harry is a guy that we had heard a lot about this spring,” said Shulman. “He has had a ton of success during his prep years, both in high school and with his national team. Once we got to lay eyes on him it was apparent that his skill set fit the things that we value.

“His ability to shoot the basketball, combined with his high IQ quickly stuck out to us. After speaking with his coaches and hearing about his competitive edge and love for the game we knew we wanted Harry in our program. We are really excited about what he brings to the table for the Bears.”

Information from UCA Sports is included in this story.

CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas has made a big addition to their men’s basketball roster for the 2025-26 season, but they had to go down under to do it.

Bears coach John Shulman signing 6-foot-10 Australian forward Truman Byrne over the weekend, adding some much-needed size to the roster.

Hailing from Melbourne and a product of Berwick College, Byrne brings a rare combination of size, skill, and championship experience.

Byrne’s basketball résumé is impressive.

As a three-time high school national champion representing the state of Victoria, he averaged 16.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.5 assists during his senior year.

His versatility extends beyond the basketball court. He’s also a two-time medalist in golf and was selected for Australia’s NBL league at just 17.

“We have been very meticulous with this last forward spot and I am excited to say that after sifting through hundreds of prospects that Truman Byrne is exactly what we were looking for,” Shulman said

“Within the first 10 minutes of meeting Truman I knew he fit us perfectly when it came to his personality and character. It just so happens that he is a 6-10 solid-framed kid with a great deal of skill.”

Shulman highlighted Byrne’s shooting and passing abilities as key assets for the Bears’ offensive system.

“It’s a perfect fit for us in what we are going to do offensively,” Shulman said. “While Truman has all of the abilities that we are looking for, it is also very refreshing to know that he has really been coached.

“Coming out of the AUSA program we know that he has been taught how to play the game of basketball with high IQ and a competitive edge.”

Byrne’s recruitment reflects a growing trend of NCAA programs looking internationally for talent, especially from Australia, which has produced NBA and college standouts such as Ben Simmons and Josh Giddey.

The Australian basketball development system is known for its emphasis on fundamentals and team play, traits that Shulman and his staff value highly.

DELAND, Fla. — Central Arkansas saw the 2025 season come to a close on Friday afternoon, falling to the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles 12-5 in the ASUN Baseball Championship at Melching Field in DeLand, Fla.

Despite a promising start and early four-run lead, the Bears couldn’t hold off a relentless FGCU offense and were eliminated from the tournament.

Promising Start Fades

UCA, seeded fourth in the ASUN Gold Division, wasted no time getting on the board.

Keon Moseni and Tanner Leonard opened the game with back-to-back singles, and consecutive walks to Zeb Allen and Nate Negre brought in the first run.

Jagger Schattle’s two-run single to right and a perfectly executed safety squeeze bunt by Noah Goodshield put the Bears ahead 4-0 before FGCU even came to bat.

However, the Eagles, third seed from the Graphite Division, quickly responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. By the third, FGCU had tied the game at 4-4.

The turning point came in the fourth inning, when the Eagles erupted for seven runs on seven hits, surging ahead 11-4 and taking control of the contest.

Pitching Depth Tested

UCA’s pitching staff, already stretched thin by injuries, struggled to contain FGCU’s bats. Freshman starter Aden Velasquez and five relievers combined to allow 17 hits. Velasquez and junior Hunter Alexander each recorded a pair of strikeouts, but the Eagles’ offense proved too much. FGCU’s Preston Rogers and Jordan Vera, coming out of the bullpen, held the Bears to just one run and six hits over the final eight innings, striking out six and issuing no walks.

Offensive Highlights and Senior Farewell

Despite the loss, several Bears delivered notable performances. Fifth-year senior Tanner Leonard capped his UCA career with a 3-for-5 day and a run scored. Junior transfer Keon Moseni also went 3-for-5, scoring twice. Schattle and freshman shortstop Negre each drove in two runs, while Goodshield added an RBI on his first-inning bunt.

“I was really proud of the guys,” Bears coach Nick Harlan said later. “They left it all out there today. With all the injuries and issues we’ve had this year, they could have easily shut it down a while ago but they didn’t.

“We came down here and won a big game on Wednesday and led this one early. We should be proud of our effort this week, and this season. The guys we had available, they definitely put it all out there.”

Tournament Recap: A Season of Grit

The Bears’ journey in the ASUN Championship began with a tough 10-2 loss to Stetson, despite taking an early 2-0 lead.

Defensive miscues and a strong Hatters lineup proved costly, pushing UCA into an elimination game against Lipscomb.

The Bears responded with a resilient win over Lipscomb, extending their tournament run and setting up the showdown with FGCU.

Throughout the season, UCA battled adversity, including a series of injuries that tested the team’s depth.

The Bears finished the year with notable wins and individual accolades, including freshman shortstop Nate Negre’s selection to the ASUN All-Freshman team and sophomore Zeb Allen’s repeat as a third-team All-ASUN honoree.

Looking Ahead

While the 2025 campaign ends in disappointment, the Bears’ ability to compete and rally in the face of adversity bodes well for the future.

With a core of talented underclassmen and the experience gained from postseason play, UCA baseball looks poised to build on this year’s foundation.

As the ASUN Championship continues, FGCU advances to face Jacksonville in the next elimination game, while Austin Peay and Stetson battle in the winner’s bracket.

For the Bears, the offseason brings reflection and preparation for another run at the title in 2026.