LINCOLN, Neb. – The Concordia-St. Paul women's basketball team opened the season with a 78-46 loss to the University of Nebraska in an exhibition game on Sunday afternoon.
 
The Huskers, the 16^th ranked team in the country at the Division-I level, held the Golden Bears to just 29.1% shooting and out-rebounded CU by a margin of 60-35. They also forced 20 CU turnovers while committing 12 of their own.
 
Concordia's defense held their own as they were able to hold Nebraska to a 37.8% shooting percentage and just 1-13 from beyond the arc.
 
The Golden Bears more than held their own for the opening 11 minutes as they only trailed 19-14 just over midway through the first half. 12 straight points over a six minute span turned it in the Huskers' favor as they took a 31-14 lead with 4:33 to go in the half. The teams traded buckets the rest of the half as Concordia trailed 38-21 going into the half.
 
Nebraska got off to a strong start and carried the momentum throughout the second half as they outscored the Golden Bears 40-25 after the break to bring it to a final score of 78-46.
 
Sophomore Mishayla Jones was solid for the Golden Bears as she led the team with 11 points on 4-8 shooting and 2-4 from three to go along with six rebounds an assist and a steal.
 
Amanda Barton was the only other Golden Bear in double figures in her return after missing much of last season due to injury. Barton hit 4-8 from the field, including 2-3 from beyond the arc, as she also contributed three rebounds, two steals and a block in 18 minutes.
 
Rachel Theriot led the Huskers with 19 points on 7-16 shooting while Emily Cady picked up a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
 
Concordia returns to action this Friday and Saturday as they open up the regular season in the Radisson Hotel Roseville Classic at the Gangelhoff Center. They take on Pittsburg State at 7 p.m. on Friday and Fort Hays State at 5 p.m. on Saturday.