ST. PAUL, Minn. - Concordia-St. Paul (3-2) closed out their 2022-23 non-conference schedule with an 80-40 victory over North Central (4-2) on Tuesday night at Gangelhoff Center. 

North Central jumped out to a short lived 4-2 lead that lasted only 1:27 before Concordia took it back permanently. A fastbreak layup by Sarah Kuma sparked a 16-5 run to close out the quarter, doubling up the Rams 18-9 at quarter break. 

The Golden Bears were incredibly efficient in the second quarter, shooting 43.8 percent (7-16) from the floor and 50 percent (5-10) from three point range. Transfer junior Jalyn Shaw and freshman Leah Dengerud both hit twice from behind the arc in the quarter to give Concordia a comfortable 39-18 halftime lead.

The CSP women showed off their length in the third quarter, out-rebounding NCU 15-8 and holding the Rams to 4-16 from the field while giving up zero 3-point attempts. The Golden Bears also put the game away with an 11-0 run to finish the third, allowing coach Amanda Johnson to give the starters a rest for the majority of the fourth quarter.

Even with the starters on the bench Concordia did not miss a beat, going 9-of-16 from the field , 2-of-4 from downtown (both from Faith Alberts), and 5-7 from the foul line. The CSP women again held the advantage on the boards, pulling down 14 rebounds and allowing just three by the Rams. Lauren Feddema led the Golden Bear in scoring in the fourth with a career best seven points and her assist to Raegan Alexander started a 13-5 run tor Concordia that would give them a 41 point lead, their largest of the game. Free throws would bring the final point advantage to 40, with the Bears on top 80-40.

Jalyn Shaw finished with 15 points off the bench to take the top scoring spot for Concordia with an impressive night from long range, knocking down 5-of-7 from behind the arc. Ally Gietzel finished in double figures for the third game in a row, putting 10 points on the board to go along with three rebounds and two assists. 

A game after her scoring first collegiate points, Leah Dengerud put up her first double digit scoring game, tying Gietzel with 10 points. The freshman showed off her defense as well, rejecting three shots and grabbing a steal.

Sarah Kuma set the tone for the Golden Bears throughout the beginning of the game, scoring eight points, leading the team in assists with four, and adding five rebounds. She also picked up a career high seven steals, which tied her for sixth most in a single game in school history.

Redshirt freshman Raegan Alexander continued to show the impact that she brings to the team, putting up career highs in rebounds (8) and blocks (5), leading the team in both categories. 

On the final line, Concordia shot 41.8 percent (28-67) from the field and knocked down 12 three-pointers. CSP also held North Central to 26.3 percent (15-57) shooting and held a 51-31 rebounding margin including 17-8 on the offensive glass, a notable figure with the shooting disparity in the contest. The Bears' bench was a huge part of the big win, outscoring the Rams' bench 55-13. 

The Bears are back in action again on Thursday for their second of three games this week. The CSP women travel to Fayette, Iowa for their second NSIC contest of the year against Upper Iowa. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. Concordia will be back home Saturday to close out the week with conference foe Winona State at 1 p.m.

The Golden Bears finish 3-1 against non-conference opponents with wins over Parkside, Jamestown and North Central with their only out of conference loss coming from Michigan Tech.