BEMIDJI, Minn. - Concordia-St. Paul (8-16, 5-15 NSIC) didn't have an answer for NSIC North leader Bemidji State (18-6, 15-5 NSIC) in the first half of play as the Beavers scored 55 points on 57.9% (22-38) shooting including eight three-pointers as they defeated the Golden Bears 90-77 on Saturday night at BSU Gymnasium.

NSIC scoring leader Brock Lutes had 22 points on 9-12 shooting in the first half and finished the night with 33 points on 13-17 shooting with four three-pointers.

Lutes has scored 30-plus points in four straight games and a league-leading seven times this season.

Aside from facing the league's scoring leader, Concordia had its hands full with the league's top rebounder and field goal shooter, Maxie Rosenbloom, who had 12 points on 5-8 shooting and 10 rebounds. BSU also offers the top three-point threat, Jake Schalow at nearly 60% on the year. Tonight, the Golden Bears held him to 3-7 three-point shooting as he scored 18 points.

The Golden Bears countered with a strong second half effort that had the once 21-point lead cut down to nine after Keith Crockett converted a three-point play with 8:30 to play. Crockett 11 second half points after a scoreless first half and finished the night with three rebounds, three assists and two steals.

But that was as close as Concordia would be in its comeback bid.

No one had a bigger second half than senior Cordell Smith, though. He scored 18 of his career-high 25 points in the second half and added seven rebounds (four offensive) and two steals. He was 7-11 from the floor in the second half and 10-17 for the game. He collected all seven rebounds in the second half as well.

Travon Mitchell had the early spark for the Golden Bears, hitting four three-pointers in the first half, finishing 5-11 from long distance for 18 points with six rebounds and four assists.

The Golden Bears had four players reach double-figures as junior Terez VanPelt joined the other three with 16 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. VanPelt was 3-3 at the line and has made 27-straight free throws, just three off last year's personal best run of 30-straight.

Concordia finished the night shooting 41.2% (28-68) from the floor while knocking down 10 three-pointers at a 40.0% clip. The Golden Bears were also excellent at the line, hitting 11-of-13 (.846).

Bemidji State cooled a bit, finishing the game at 53.8% (35-65) after a 48.1% (13-27) second half. BSU hit 11 three-pointers at a 40.7% rate but made just 3-10 in the second half and only made 9-15 from the line.

After playing turnover free in the first half, the Beavers turned it over eight times in the second half with Concordia nabbing seven steals to force the issue.

Concordia remains on the road next Friday and Saturday to close out the NSIC regular season at SMSU and Sioux Falls.