ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Concordia-St. Paul women's basketball team (10-4, 6-3 NSIC) defeated Southwest Minnesota State (6-8, 3-6 NSIC) 86-65 at the Gangelhoff Center Friday night.
All five Golden Bear starters scored in double digits, as they combined for 73 points. Concordia was very efficient from the floor, shooting 50.8% on the game and assisting on 21 baskets. The Golden Bears also shot an impressive 58.3% from three. CSP has now won five of their last six games.
Sidney Wentland had a big game for the Golden Bears, leading all scorers with 22 points. Wentland shot 9-16 from the floor (3-4 from three) also collecting eight rebounds and five assists.
Anna Schmitt was key part of the offensive explosion for the Golden Bears, netting 16 points and dishing out nine assists. Lindsay Dorr was also a big contributor with her fifth double-double of the season. The senior center scored 14 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, blocked four shots, and swiped two steals.
Kyrah Fredenburg and Lexi Lee also posted productive games for the Golden Bears. Fredenburg scored 10 points and also pitched in six boards and four steals. Lee was an efficient 4-6 from the floor for 11 points, also collecting four assists.
The Mustangs were held to 32.3% shooting on the game. Sadie Stelter (14 pts), Meleah Reinhart (13 pts), and Caleigh Rodning (12 pts) were the top contributors for SMSU.
The Golden Bears got off to a hot start, mostly thanks to the sophomore Wentland. The Elk River, Minnesota native scored eight points in the first two minutes of the games. After an opening basket for the Mustangs, Wentland hit a pull-up three, converted and-one opportunity, and made a layup. CSP forced a timeout by the Mustangs at the 6:33 mark, as Concordia led 12-4.
The Mustangs made a run to get back into the game quickly though, as they went on a 12-3 burst to take a 16-15 lead with just over three minutes left in the first quarter. The Golden Bears closed the quarter on a 7-2 run to go into the second quarter up 22-17.
CSP would carry the momentum into the second frame, as they went on a 15-2 run between the two quarters. The Golden Bears were able to hold the Mustangs without a field goal for 7:17 during a stretch between the first and the second. CSP went into the half with a 40-30 lead, shooting 45.5% from the floor to SMSU's 25.0%. They also dominated in the paint, outscoring SMSU 20-10.
The Golden Bears came out in the second half sinking nearly everything, going on a 19-6 run in the first five minutes of the third quarter to take a 59-36 lead. CSP would close the quarter on an 11-4 run as well, leading 70-46 going into the final frame. The Golden Bears shot 60% (12-20) from the field to score 30 points in the third quarter. Concordia was able prevent any big runs for the Mustangs in the final quarter to secure the win.
The Mustangs employed a press nearly the entire game against the Golden Bears, but were unable to force many turnovers from the defensive scheme. CSP led 10-2 in fast-break points and 42-28 in points in the paint. The Golden Bears also led on the glass, grabbing 46 rebounds to SMSU's 37.
The Golden Bears have now won their last 15 matchups against SMSU, and have also been victorious in 35 of the last 38. CSP leads the all-time series 40-16.
CSP will play Sioux Falls tomorrow at the Gangelhoff Center at 3:30. If you can't make it to the game, you can follow along at www.cspbears.com/watch.
