st. Paul, minn. - missed field goals and missed opportunities, that's what spelled the end of the nsic tournament title hunt for the golden bears on saturday afternoon. Concordia was put away on their home court for just the second time this season, falling 80-73 to minnesota duluth, the tournament's lowest remaining seed at #4. The golden bears' postseason hopes have not been completely extinguished, however, as they still have life in the upcoming central region tournament. The nsic tournament championship game will be held at the gangelhoff center at 2:00 pm on sunday featuring #2 wayne state college and the bulldogs. box score
the golden bears missed chances on too many must-have shots and free throws against a bulldogs squad that shot 50.9% on the afternoon. The team's three leading scorers on the year combined for 14-of-45 field goals, just under 30%. Minnesota duluth took 21 points including 17 from nsic player of the year jheri booker, a huge boost in a 51-39 second half.
concordia stuck solidly in the game until midway through the second period. The golden bears needed a 19-4 run to come away with a halftime lead, but they did the work that mattered to take the 34-29 advantage. jamie jones (g, sr., mounds view, minn.) energized the squad with seven points to draw down a 10 point bulldogs lead. Three-pointers from kali olstad (g, sr., elgin, minn.), cu's new all-time three-point shooter, and zoraa quoie (g, jr., woodbury, minn.) gave an additional boost and gave the team the lead.
minnesota duluth made its big run near the midpoint of the second half to go up by double digits for the second game in the game. Booker got into the groove, hitting difficult jump shots and also looking to her teammates for clutch stops and defensive shots to go up 59-49 with 10:32 to play. The run was all that was needed for the bulldogs to take the win. The golden bears were unable to make up the difference with shooting that was off-target. Missed layups and jumpers frustrated the golden bear crowd, who could do nothing but sit and watch as the tournament trophy hopes silently faded away.
the intensity and enthusiasm of minnesota duluth was evident in their push toward the upset. Booker put up 17 points and nine rebounds in the second half, while guard shelly stemper shot 4-of-5 from the field and 4-of-4 from the stripe for 15 points.
the golden bears shot a respectful 41.4% from the field, but it was the quality of their misses that hurt their banner hopes. Free throw shooting was also an issue, with just 9-of-15 shots hit in the game. Bjerke and jineen williams (g, jr., racine, wis.) each had 12 points to lead the team. Bjerke set a new career high in the rebounding column with 17, the most by any player in the game. Jones completed her day with 11 points, five boards, three assists and three steals. The squad committed just six turnovers in the loss.
the bulldogs shot 50.9% from the field with booker's 21 points leading the pack. A double-double was completed with 12 rebounds. Stemper had 19 points and eight rebounds. Monica mayry pushed her team to victory as well with 10 points and nine assists.
