MARSHALL. Minn. – The Concordia-St. Paul women's basketball team picked up a hard fought 62-60 victory on the road against Southwest Minnesota State on Friday at R/A Facility.
 
Ally Gietzel led the Golden Bears (6-4, 3-3 NSIC) who had three players finish in double figures in the closely contested one-possession victory over the Mustangs (7-4, 4-2 NSIC). Lindsey Becher recorded her first double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Jadyn Hanson added her second double-figure finish this season with 13 points on the night.
 
How It Happened: The Mustangs used a 7-0 run early in the first quarter to swing the momentum in their favor to begin the game. A three-point jumper from Jenna Borchers would give SMSU a double-digit lead with 7:11 left in the opening quarter. However, a jumper from Gietzel would spark a 7-0 run for the Golden Bears, bringing them within three before the end of the first quarter.
 
The two teams traded baskets and the lead throughout the second quarter. A layup from Megan Gamble would give the Golden Bears their first lead of the game with 7:35 remaining in the first half. The Golden Bears could only extend their lead to as many as four points. A late jumper from Sam Wall with :35 left before halftime gave the Mustangs the late advantage. However, Becher would hit a layup at the buzzer to give CSP a 32-31 lead heading into the half.
 
After both teams failed to connect on their first possessions of the second half, Gietzel collected her second steal of the contest off a Hannah Parsley turnover and then used the fast break to give the Golden Bears their first basket of the third quarter. Sarah Kuma would give the Golden Bears their largest game lead (5pts) with a two-point jumper from Gamble. The two teams would go on to have four lead changes before the end of the quarter, but the Golden Bears would hold a two-point lead heading into the final quarter.
 
Leah Dengerud kicked off the final quarter with a two-point layup from Becher in the opening minute, which sparked a 6-0 run and gave the Golden Bears their largest lead of the game (8pts) with 6:19 remaining. However, the Mustangs would rally their way back and tied the game with 2:47 remaining. Hanson would break two of the three gridlocks at the free-throw line before Gietzel sealed the game with a clutch layup with :22 left in the game. The Mustangs would have one last chance in the final seconds, but the Golden Bears would hold on for the 62-60 victory.
 
Key Statistics: CSP shot 47.2 percent (25-for-53) from the field, while SMSU finished at 32.1 percent (18-for-56).
 
The Golden Bears outrebounded the Mustangs 43-32 with 34 of their rebounds coming defensively.
 
CSP outscored SMSU 29-to-14 in points off the bench.
 
The Golden Bears dominated the paint after recording 46 points, while the Mustangs had only 16.
 
Players of Note: Gietzel finished the game with a team-best 15 points, shooting 6-for-10 from the field and 3-for-6 from the free-throw line. The junior also collected six rebounds, three assists, three steals and a pair of blocks.
 
Becher finished the game with her first double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds after shooting 6-for-11 from the field. The sophomore also collected five blocks, three steals and a pair of assists.
 
Hanson had a strong showing for the Golden Bears with 13 points, including an efficient 5-for-6 from the free-throw line. The juniors added seven rebounds and an assist.
 
Kuma added eight points on a 4-for-6 effort for the Golden Bears. The sophomore added a pair of assists, a rebound and a steal.
 
Up Next: The Golden Bears will return to action tomorrow night to take on the Sioux Falls Cougars at the Stewart Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. Tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m.