The Golden Bears used multiple runs early in the first half to jump out to a 28-9 lead in the first 12 minutes of action as they routed Johnson & Wales University 86-46 on Saturday evening at the American Family Insurance Hoopster Classic played at Halenbeck Hall on the campus of St. Cloud State University. Concordia (7-2) outscored Johnson & Wales (0-14) 50-12 in the paint en route to the blowout win.

The game was only tied once, at two, and Johnson & Wales's only lead of the game was a 4-2 margin before the Golden Bears rattled off 12 straight points, capped off by sophomore guard Jason Birr's five consecutive points. He hit a jumper and a three in about 30 seconds as Concordia pulled out to a 14-4 lead.

The run wasn't over, as the Bears went on a 14-3 run sparked by senior forward Kenneth Pointer's eight points. Senior forward Colby Swanson and junior guard Kyle Marxhausen each added three-point plays. The run put Concordia ahead 28-9 just over 12 minutes into the game, setting the tone for a second consecutive decisive victory.

The two runs together combined for a 26-5 margin in a span of about 10 minutes. The lead never exceeded 19 in the first half, and they went into the locker room ahead 40-21, holding a 26-12 advantage in the paint.

It was cruise control from there on out, as the Bears pushed the lead as high as 45 points, 82-37 with 4:28 remaining in the game.

Concordia was even more dominant in the paint in the second half, holding a 24-2 edge down low and 31-8 off the bench.

Eight Bears scored at least seven points, and no one received more than Swanson's 23 minutes of game time. Pointer led the team in scoring with 12 points, but he also dished out a season-high eight assists along with four rebounds and four steals. He shot 5-8 from the floor and 2-2 at the line.

Only two other players reached double-figures for Concordia, and both of them came off the bench. Birr and junior guard James Sarbacker each had 10 points in 14 minutes. Birr was a perfect 4-4 from the field and hit his only three-pointer and free throw attempted to account for his 10 points, while Sarbacker was 4-6 from the field and 2-4 from long range.

Swanson was a machine in the post, collecting 10 rebounds in his team-high 23 minutes. He also scored seven points, had four steals, and had three assists.

No one on the team attempted 10 shots or more as the Bears shot 54.7% (35-64) as a team from the field. They dominated the glass to a 38-25 rebounding margin and had six blocked shots as a team, led by Marxhausen and senior center Aaron Ackerson, who each had a pair.

Concordia's aggressive defense forced 26 turnovers and held Johnson & Wales to 36.2% (17-47) shooting.

By the end of the game, Concordia outscored Johnson & Wales 50-12 in the paint and 45-12 off the bench.

Pointer and Marxhausen were each selected to the American Family Insurance Hoopster Classic All-Tournament Team, along with David Dreas of St. Cloud State and Craig Schafer and Paul Henrichs of St. John's University. Schafer was named the tournament MVP, as he scored 24 points and grabbed 18 rebounds to lead St. John's past St. Cloud State 72-67 in the final game of the tournament.

The Golden Bears return to action next Friday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. when they travel to take on NCC rival Minnesota Duluth, who defeated #7 Northern State 84-78 tonight and is off to a 7-2 start.