the concordia womenrsquo;s basketball team needed an extra period to dispatch of the bemidji state beavers, 73-65 in the nsic opener for both schools. The bears were lead by senior ashley smithrsquo;s first double-double of the season. Smith finished 6-11 from the field on her way to a game high 22 points. She also cleaned the glass to the tune of 12 rebounds, eight offensive.

sophomores amanda behnke and katie laviolette (right) had strong games as well as laviolette added 16 points, seven rebounds and a career-high nine assists, while going a perfect 6-6 at the free throw line. Behnke chipped in with 15 points and seven boards while making 7 of 13 shots from the field. The bears used a strong defensive performance to limit the beavers 30% shooting for the game, while forcing 16 beaver turnovers. They outrebounded bemidji state 50-46 for the game.

the two teams played battled back-and-forth for the first 40 minutes with neither team taking control. The beavers largest lead of the game was eight at 17-9 at 8:25 of the first half. The bears managed to tie the score at 23-23 with :39 remining in the first half.

in the second half, the two teams see-sawed back and forth with nine ties in the half and neither team leading by more that three. The bears took control in the overtime, scoring the first seven points and outscoring bsu 15-7 in the extra period.

the beavers were lead by junior nancy mcconkey and stephanie peterson. Mcconkey lead the team with 17 points and grabbed 13 boards. Peterson finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Bemidji also played a strong game on the defensive end limiting the bears to 29% shooting in the first half.

the bears will look to go 2-0 in conference play when the host the um-crookston eagles tomorrow at 6:00 at the gangelhoff center in st. Paul mn.