MARSHALL, Minn. – The Concordia University women's basketball team (20-8, 15-6 NSIC) got back in the win column with a 66-44 win over Southwest Minnesota State (4-21, 2-19 NSIC) on Friday night. The win gives the Golden Bears a season sweep over the Mustangs and improves their all-time mark to 30-16 against SMSU.
Defense proved to be the difference as CU held the Mustangs toa season-low 25.0% from the field for the game as they cruised to the win. Concordia also dominated down low as they outrebounded the Mustangs 51-36 and outscored them in the paint 30-16. The bench also proved to be a major factor as the Golden Bears received 20 points from the non-starters compared to 12 for SMSU.
Ameshia Kearney got the offense going in the first half as she scored all 13 of her points in the opening 20 minutes.
Anika Whiting had a quiet night but still managed 11 points and six boards in just 23 minutes of play.
Rachel Hansen came close to a double-double with eight points, 11 rebounds and four assists with a team-high 38 minutes played.
Voneisha Harris led the charge off the bench with eight points and four boards in 18 minutes. The eight points were one shy of her career high set back in December against Upper Iowa.
The first half was all Concordia as they built a double digit advantage in just over seven minutes at 16-5. The Golden Bears held the Mustangs to just two field goals over that span. Things didn't get much better from there for the Mustangs as CU steadily pushed the lead out for the rest of the half and settled with a 41-20 advantage at the break.
The lead remained pretty much constant throughout the second half as the Mustangs were only able to get back within 18. The Golden Bears built leads as large as 24 as they cruised to a 66-44 win.
The win gives Coach Paul Fessler his 11th 20+ win season in 14 years and pulls him within one win of 400 in his collegiate coaching career. He also sits two wins away from 300 in his Concordia career.
The Golden Bears wrap up their regular season tomorrow afternoon in Sioux Falls. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m. The Golden Bears will then open up the NSIC Tournament next Wednesday at home.
