ST. PAUL, Minn. - Sophomore in-state guards Cole Olstad (Elgin) and Terez VanPelt (Osseo) combined for 52 pointson 20-of-28 shooting to lead Concordia-St. Paul 6-16, 4-13 NSIC) to an 88-66 win over Minnesota, Crookston (3-18, 0-17) on Friday night at Gangelhoff Center.

The Golden Bears are now 4-3 in their last seven games and have won back-to-back contests for the first time this season.

Olstad scored 28 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the floor and 4-of-6 from three-point range. He also had two blocks and two steals. He's scored 58 points in the last two games for Concordia.

VanPelt scored his 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting including 3-of-4 from three-point distance. He also dished five assists without turning the ball over.

The duo helped Concordia get out to a fast start as Concorida opened with a 21-8 lead in the first 6:45 of the game. Olstad scored nine of the team's first 11 points and 12 of the first 16. He made his first six shots of the game and had 17 by halftime.

VanPelt went off for a nine point surge during a second run for the Golden Bears, a 21-7 surge over six and a half minutes of play to give Concordia a 39-15 lead with 6:53 to play in the half. VanPelt led all scorers at the break with 19.

Together, the backcourt duo scored 36 in the opening 20 minutes while the Concordia defense held UMC to 27 total points with a 52-27 lead.

Concordia never trailed in the game and led by as many as 29.

While Olstad and VanPelt stood out in the first half, nine different players scored in the second half.

The Golden Bears shot above 50.0% in both halves, shooting 55.0% (33-60) for the night including 10-of-22 from distance. The nation's second-ranked free throw shooting team was once again solid at the line (.750, 12-16).

Concordia also forced 16 turnovers defensively while committing nine, leading to a 22-10 edge in points off turnovers. The defense also held UMC to 45.0% (27-60) shooting for the game.

UMC was led by Ashton Harrell's 14 points and six rebounds, their only player in double-figures.

Redshirt freshman Mike Yahnke (Delano, Minn.) added 10 points off the bench and was key in Concordia's second run that expanded the lead to 20-plus points with back-to-back first half layups. He made 4-of-5 from the field and had four rebounds.

Junior Cordell Smith (Mequon, Wis.) was solid in his fourth-straight start, with eight points and six rebounds in 18 minutes while senior Isaiah Thomas (Fridley, Minn.) came off the bench with eight points and five assists, knocking down a pair of three-pointers.

The Golden Bears remain home tomorrow for a 6 p.m. tip against Bemidji State (12-9, 10-7), coming off a big win at Minnesota State tonight.