MARSHALL, Minn. - Concordia-St. Paul forward Anika Whiting (Ashland, Wis.) continued her tremendous sophomore season with a 29-point performance in leading the Golden Bears (5-4, 3-2 NSIC) to an 81-59 road win at Southwest Minnesota State (1-9, 0-5 NSIC) on Saturday evening at R/A Facility.

The Golden Bears led by just three points at the break before exploding for a 16-3 run in the first six minutes of the second half, with Whiting scoring seven points during the run that also included four points from Rachel Hansen (Eagan, Minn.) and a three-pointer by Carissa Wolyniec (Minneapolis, Minn.).

The trio, who propelled Concordia to a big road win at Sioux Falls last night, all scored in double-figures again as Hansen and Wolyniec each scored 11 points.

Concordia kept its lead over SMSU at 15-plus the rest of the way in cruising to victory.

The first half was a different story, though, as SMSU sprinted out to an 18-7 start in the first six and a half minutes and it wasn't until the 6:52 to mark that a Kionda Nicks (St. Paul, Minn.) layup tied the score for the first time at 24-all.  An Amanda Barton (Waterville, Minn.) three-pointer followed to give Concordia its first lead. SMSU would pull ahead one more time in the half (by 1-point) and force two ties but a three-pointer by Kayla Hulsebus (Eden Prairie, Minn.) late in the half put Concordia ahead for good.

Barton, along with senior Mandy Poke (Richfield, Minn. ), each scored nine points off the bench with Poke shooting 4-of-6 from the floor with five assists and Barton grabbing six rebounds.

Seven players had two or more assists for Concordia led by Poke's five. As a team, CU dished out 20 assists and had just 10 turnovers.

Concordia shot 53.2% from the floor and 46.2% from distance while holding a 36-30 rebounding advantage. The CU defense forced 17 turnovers and held SMSU to 41.8% shooting.

Bree Holleman led SMSU with 14 points as she delivered three three-pointers.

Whiting has been exceptional, efficient and consistent as a breakout sophomore for Concodia. She's attempted between 10 and 14 shots in all but one game - the exception being tonight's 20 attempts - and made at least 50% from the floor in all but one game. She's topped 20 points four times including back-to-back this weekend and has scored at least 15 points in every game. She's shooting over 57% from the floor on the year and averaging 19.6 points.

Concordia is now off until after Christmas vacation and will remain on the road after the New Year with the toughest trip in the NSIC at #12 Wayne State and #6 Augustana on January 4-5.