BEMIDJI, Minn. - Despite 25 points from junior Anika Whiting, Concordia-St. Paul (19-8, 14-6 NSIC) fell for the second straight night on the road, 52-49 at Bemidji State (9-18, 5-15 NSIC).

The 49 points for Concordia was a season-low despite Whiting's eighth 20-plus point output including her fourth in the last six games. She played all 40 minutes and shot 9-20 from the field along with 7-9 from the stripe with nine rebounds.

But Concordia didn't have anyone else in double-figures as the rest of the team combined to shoot 9-34 and only attempted five free throws.

Bemidji State had a balanced effort with three players in double-figures led by Kate Warmack with 14 points and 13 rebounds as BSU held a 43-36 margin on the glass.

The Golden Bears got out to a fast start, jumping out to a 16-6 lead as sophomore Kionda Nicks had four rebounds and four assists in the first 5:40 of play.

Two of her assists went to Whiting, who had six points during the early run for Concordia. The Golden Bears made 7-of-14 to start the game, as well.

Concordia held the lead for a good part of the first half including a 23-16 advantage with 6:22 to play before the break.

That's when BSU made its run, outscoring Concordia 13-2 over the next six minutes to claim a four point lead.

Ameshia Kearney hit a three-pointer to make it a one point game at the half, 29-28 in favor of BSU.

The Beavers led for the first 15-plus minutes of the second half, although the lead would never swell larger than five which it hit five times.

Whiting put in a pair of layups after senior Rachel Hansen made two free throws to take the lead back for the first time since late in the first half with 4:57 to play (48-47).

Hansen would hit one of two free throws with 3:47 to play to tie the game at 49.

From there, Bemidji State scored on the ensuing possession, a jumper by Jessie Althoff with 3:23 left, and Hanna Zerr made one of two free throws with 23 seconds to play for the only points the rest of the game.

In Concordia's scoreless drought down the stretch, the Golden Bears missed five shots including a game-tying three-pointer by senior Carissa Wolyniec with three seconds left in the game.

While Concordia went scoreless for the last 3:47, they also scored only nine in the last 10:20 of play.

After her strong start with four rebounds and four assists in the first five-plus minutes, Nicks finished the night with 10 rebounds, five assists, three blocked shots and four points.

Kearney had eight points while Hansen and Wolyniec each scored five.

Concordia shot just 33.3% (18-54) from the floor and 27.3% (3-11) from three-point range. The Golden Bears held BSU to 35.6% (21-59) shooting and 25.0% (3-12) three-point shooting.

The Golden Bears, now third in the NSIC South Division standings at 14-6, will end the regular season next weekend at SMSU (2-18) and Sioux Falls (8-12). Concordia has clinched a first round NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament game which will be played on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at Gangelhoff Center at 7 p.m.

Concordia's next win secures the program's 11th 20-plus win season in head coach Paul Fessler's 14 seasons. Fessler is also two wins shy of 400 overall head coaching wins and three wins away from reaching 300 in his Concordia career.