Concordia university (0-1) dropped their season opener 93-74 at regional rival augustana college (1-0) on wednesday evening at elmen center in sioux falls, s.d. The bears fell despite a decisive 19-3 advantage in second chance points off of a 18-8 edge in offensive rebounding.

but it was shooting that made the difference, not rebounding, as the vikings outshot the golden bears 54.1% (33-61) to 39.5% (30-76). The bears were also buried from three-point range as they connected on just 25.0% (5-20) to the vikings' 42.9% (9-21). Augustana also held a nine point advantage at the foul line with both teams shooting under 70.0% from the stripe (augie 69.2%, 18-26; csp 64.3%, 9-14).

leading the golden bears was junior guard katie laviolette (above left) with 18 points on 8-17 shooting in 37 minutes. Laviolette also collected six rebounds (three offensive) and dished out five assists.

two other golden bears reached double-figures as junior guard kelly lund (left) and sophomore forward candace olstad (right)each scored 14 points. Lund added five rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 30 minutes. C.olstad scored her 14 points on 6-10 shooting in 21 minutes.

the vikings outscored concorida's bench 32-20 led by amy puthoff's 17 points on 4-7 shooting including a perfect 7-7 from the line in 20 minutes. Adding 10 points on 4-7 shooting in 16 reserve minutes for augie was andrea walsh.

the cu bench was led by junior guard lindsey palmer (left) who scored seven points, draining a pair of three-pointers. Sophomore forward abby nielsen also connected on a pair of three's to score six off the bench in her only two shots in eight minutes while collecting three rebounds. Also scoring six in a reserve role was freshman guard jamie jones (right) who was 3-7 from the field but made all three of her two-point attempts in her first 18 minutes of her collegiate career.

junior center amanda behnke was concordia's leader on the glass as she pulled down seven rebounds while adding eight points, three steals and a block in 23 minutes.

augustana was led by ashley holiday's double-double as she scored 21 points and hauled in 10 rebounds, both game-highs. She also had six assists and three blocks in just 26 minutes while ali adamson scored 17 points and added seven rebounds.

concordia seeks their first win this weekend when they play host to the wildwood lodge tip-off classic on friday and saturday. The bears will face northern michigan on friday and minnesota duluth on saturday at 8 p.m. And 5 p.m. Respectively. Also competing at the classic will be msu moorhead who will face nmu and umd on the opposite days at 6 p.m. And 3 p.m., respectively.