Concordia went on a 12-0 run to open the second half and defeated host Metro State, 79-64, in the first round of the Best Western Central Classic women's basketball tournament Friday afternoon at the Auraria Events Center. The bears had four players score in double-figures, led by Nakia Carlisle's 17 points and six assists.

The Golden Bears scored 16 of the first 18 points of the second half as Metro State went scoreless for the first 5:58 of the period and Concordia turned a nine-point halftime advantage into a 21-point lead, 53-32, with 14:48 to play. Ashley Smith led the Bears second-half attack with 12 points.

The Roadrunners whittled the lead down to 14 points, 66-52, with 7:26 remaining, but Concordia scored four straight points to push it back up to 18, 70-52, with 6:13 to go.

Concordia made 52.6 percent from the field (30-57) for the game while holding Metro State to 23-61 (37.7) for the game. The Golden Bears also held a 40-28 advantage on the boards and outscored Metro State in the paint, 44-24. Janine Kuklis and Katie Laviolette each had seven rebounds to lead the Bears. Kuklis also had 11 points. Amanda Behnke had 12 points and six rebounds in the win.

In the first half, Concordia opened up a 12-point lead, 25-13, with 11:09 to go, but Metro State fought back to cut it to two, 32-30, with 2:47. However, the Golden Bears went on a 7-0 run to push it back up to nine points, 39-30, with 1:36 left. Concordia-St. Paul led by nine at the half, 41-32.

With the win, Concordia improves to 6-4 overall, while Metro State falls to 7-3 overall. The Bears will play CSU-Pueblo on Dec. 31st at 1:00 in the second day of the classic.