ST. PAUL, Minn. — Conference play is in full swing for the No. 24 Concordia-St. Paul women's basketball team (4-2, 0-1) as the Golden Bears play a pair of NSIC South Division matchups this week against St. Cloud State (3-3, 0-1) and No. 2 Minnesota State (7-0, 1-0).
On Wednesday night CSP will host the St. Cloud State Huskies at the Gangelhoff Center in the back end of a basketball doubleheader. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
On Saturday afternoon the Golden Bears will head down to Mankato for a ranked matchup against the No. 2 Minnesota State Mavericks. With the game scheduled to start at 3 p.m.
Download the App
Fans can download the CSP Bears fan app, free of charge and available in the App Store or on Google Play. The app contains rosters, schedules, scores, stats, news, social media and more! Customize your options to get notifications to your favorite teams, as well. Search "CSP Bears" in the app store to stay up-to-date on Golden Bear athletics.
Watch Online - NSIC Network
All Golden Bear NSIC basketball games will be available to watch online, free of charge, powered by the NSIC Network, supported by BlueFrame Technology.
Visit nsicnetwork.com/cspbears on a laptop or desktop computer, download the NSIC Network app on your mobile device, or watch on your supported OTT provider such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV. Search "NSIC Network" and download the app for the league's full sport and team lineups. NSIC NETWORK FAQ
Purchase Tickets in Advance Online
Fans are highly encouraged to purchase tickets online at cspbears.com/tickets prior to game day. All ticketed events for the 25-26 academic year will utilize the Vivenu online ticket platform found at that link and fans must scan a mobile ticket to enter. Tickets will still be sold on site on game day but purchases are card-only and include additional fees. The best way for fans to make their game day entry as smooth as possible is to purchase tickets online in advance. CSP Students, Faculty and Staff will be able to download their free passes through Vivenue.
Last Time Out
The Golden Bears went 1-1 last week, dropping their conference opener to Winona State at home Tuesday night, before capping out of conference play with a win against Michigan Tech on Friday afternoon.
On Tuesday night the Golden Bears played in a back-and-forth overtime game against the Winona State Warriors. CSP took a 33-27 lead into halftime, before falling behind late in the fourth quarter.
Lydia Haack came up with a half-court buzzer beater to tie the game at 64 to end regulation. The Warriors prevailed in overtime however, taking the contest, 77-75.
Lauren Wilson put together another strong performance scoring 19 points and grabbing 6 rebounds and adding 5 assists. Haack dropped 18 points on the night, while adding 7 rebounds and 10 assists.
Two other Golden Bears tallied double digits, with Leah Dengerud scoring 12 points, going 4-of-9 from the field and 4-of-7 from three. Emma Mommsen provided 12 points as well, shooting 6-of-10 on the night.
The Golden Bears got back in the win column with a 78-61 win over Michigan Tech on Black Friday.
Lauren Wilson tallied her fourth double-double of the season, tying a season and career high with 34 points while grabbing 13 rebounds. The junior went 12-of-10 from the field, with 2 blocks and 1 steal on defense.
CSP grabbed a quick 8-2 advantage and carried a 30-28 lead into halftime. Concordia never surrendered the lead in the second half with Avery Moeller closing out the third quarter with a jumper to make it 67-51.
Leah Dengerud put the finishing touches on the 17 point win with a three point jumper in the final minutes of the game.
Three Golden Bears tallied double digit points with Dengerud scoring 12 and Avery Moeller providing 11 off the bench while going 4-of-10 from the floor.
Lydia Haack tallied 8 points, with 8 rebounds and her third game with 10 assists this season.
Golden Bears by the Numbers
Through six games this season the Golden Bears are averaging 78.7 points per game placing them second in the NSIC, behind Minnesota State. CSP is allowing an average of 69.2 ppg which ranks 10th in the NSIC.
So far this season CSP is shooting 164-of-400 (41%) from the floor which ranks 10th in the NSIC. From beyond the arc Concordia is 60-of-185 (32.4%) which places them eighth in the NSIC in three point shooting.
CSP is averaging 42.2 rebounds per game this season, which is third in the NSIC. Opponents are averaging 40.0 rebounds per game, giving CSP a rebounding margin of 2.2 so far this season.
Offensively the Golden Bears are led by Lauren Wilson, who is averaging 25.2 ppg this season, which is second in the NSIC. Wilson's 25.2 ppg places her eighth nationally in scoring.
The junior currently leads the NSIC in rebounding, averaging 11.7 boards per game. Her 11.7 boards per game also put her in a tie for 16th place across all of Division II.
Lydia Haack is currently ninth in the NSIC in scoring, averaging 17.2 ppg. Haack leads the conference in assists per game with 8.0, which is good for second nationally. Haack also leads the conference in assist/turnover ratio at 3.4.
Leah Dengerud is third on the team in scoring, averaging 12.0 ppg, the senior guard is also averaging 4.0 rebounds per game.
Avery Moeller is averaging 7.8 ppg off the bench this season, Emma Mommsen is averaging 6.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Ashley Schuelke is averaging 5.8 ppg and 3.5 rpg as well.
On defense Lydia Haack is second in the conference in steals per game with 3.2. Ashley Schuelke ranks third in the NSIC with 1.3 blocked shots per game, while Lauren Wilson is in fifth with an average of 1.2 blocked shots. Emma Mommsen is averaging 1.0 blocked shots which is good for seventh in the NSIC.
CSP's leading shooter through six games this season is Lauren Wilson, the junior is 48-of-96 (50%) so far this season, good for eighth best in the NSIC. Lydia Haack is 36-of-93 (38.7%) from the field this season, Leah Dengerud is 24-of-60 (40%) shooting so far this season.
Emma Mommsen is 18-of-39 (46.2%) shooting this season, while Avery Moller is leading in field goal percentage off the bench for CSP, going 17-of-40 (42.5%) shooting this season.
From three point range Lydia Haack leads the way, going 12-of-30 (40%) placing her third in the NSIC in three point shooting. Leah Dengerud is 18-of-47 (38.3%) from three this season, Avery Moeller is 12-of-34 (35.3%) as well.
Series History: St. Cloud State
Series Record: CSP 21, SCSU 21
The Golden Bears and Huskies have met on 42 previous occasions with four matchups taking place in Concordia's pre-Division II era. CSP won the first matchup 66-53 in January of 1977, since 1999 the two have met on an annual basis with the Golden Bears holding a 19-18 lead in that time frame.
In more recent matchups CSP has had the upper hand, holding a four game win streak over the Huskies dating back to January of 2024.
Last season the Golden Bears and Huskies played each other twice once in the regular season and once at the NSIC Tournament. CSP won both matchups, taking down St. Cloud in the Quarterfinals 76-60.
Lydia Haack and Lindsey Becher each scored 15 points for the Golden Bears, with Haack adding 5 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal.
CSP fell behind early, but a 9-2 run gave the Golden Bears the lead, closing out the half with a 27-8 run and a 29-15 lead. As CSP went on to win, extending their winning streak to 14 games and advancing to the NSIC Semifinals.
In their last regular season matchup, CSP earned a commanding 72-55 victory over St. Cloud State at the Gangelhoff Center. Julia Bengston scored 23 points in the win, with Lydia Haack providing 19 points, 8 assists, 3 steals and a career high 3 blocks.
CSP trailed early, but used a 7-2 run and a 11-2 run to take a 37-29 lead into the break. Haack scored eight points in the third to put Concordia up 55-40, going on to win, 72-55.
The Golden Bears recorded a season-high 16 steals, capitalizing on the Huskies miscues by scoring 24 points off turnovers.
About the Huskies
St. Cloud State is off to a 3-3 start this season, dropping their first NSIC matchup against No.2 Minnesota State last week, 110-81. The Huskies rebounded with a win on Saturday against Alaska-Fairbanks, 101-53.
Through six games St. Cloud is averaging 75.2 points per game, while allowing an average of 71.5 points per game. Placing them fourth in the NSIC in ppg offensively and 15th in points allowed per game.
As a team the Huskies have the sixth best shooting percentage in the conference, going 168-of-389 (43.2%). This season opponents are shooting 164-of-394 (41.6%) against St. Cloud, placing them 13th in opponent field goal percentage.
Alana Zarneke leads the Huskies in scoring through six games, averaging 16.3 ppg. The junior guard is also averaging 4.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
Jada Eggebrecht averages 13.8 ppg for St. Cloud, while averaging 2.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. Abigail O'Reilly is the third Huskie averaging double digits at 10.7.
St. Cloud's leading rebounder is Kristi Kottke at 7.3 boards per game, the guard is also averaging 6.8 ppg.
Paige Lambe is averaging 7.8 ppg off the bench this season, with Reagan Briggs and Brynn Olson each averaging 7.0 ppg.
The Huskies are coached by Lori Fish, who is in her 18th season at the helm. She holds a record of 277-187 (.596) in her time with St. Cloud.
Series History: Minnesota State
Series Record: CSP 25, MSU 26
Across 51 matchups dating back to 1975 the Golden Bears are 25-26 against the Mavericks. Minnesota State took each of the first six matchups, before CSP won eight straight from 2000-2007.
Last season the Golden Bears went 2-1 against the Mavericks, splitting the regular season matchups 1-1. Before defeating Minnesota State in the NSIC Tournament Championship.
After taking down St. Cloud State and Northern State in the quarter and semifinals, the Golden Bears matched up with the Mavericks in the final. Behind 25 points from Lidsey Becher and a 47 point second half CSP rolled to a conference title, 92-73.
Lydia Haack scored 15 points and added eight assists, earning All-NSIC Tournament honors. Lauren Wilson recorded a 16 point, 13 rebound double-double to be named to the All-NSIC Tournament team as well.
The win gave the Golden Bears their fifth NSIC Tournament Championship and first since 2014, giving them the most wins in a season in program history with 29.
About the Mavericks
Minnesota State is off to a 7-0 start this season, moving up to No. 2 in this week's WBCA Top 25 Poll. Last week the Mavericks moved to 1-0 in conference play after a 110-81 win over St . Cloud State. Capping the week off with an out of conference win over UW-Parkside on Saturday, 85-73.
The Mavericks currently lead the NSIC and Division II in scoring, averaging 100.4 ppg. Opponents are scoring an average of 69.6 ppg this season, which ranks 12th in the NSIC.
In terms of team shooting percentage, the Mavericks rank first in the NSIC and seventh in Division II, going 269-of-554 (48.6%) this season. Opponents are shooting 178-of-402 (44.3%) against Minnesota State this season, placing them 14th in opponent field goal percentage.
Natalie Bremer leads the Mavericks in scoring averaging 20.7 ppg, placing her fourth in the NSIC and 17th nationally. Bremer ranks sixth in the NSIC in shooting percentage going 56-of-119 (50.9%) from the field.
Elisabeth Gadient is second on the team in scoring, averaging 10.7 ppg. Haylee Stokes is averaging 9.9 ppg, with Rhyan Holmgren and Mackenzie Schweim averaging 9.3 ppg each.
Ava Stier leads the way for MSU on the glass with 5.6 rebounds per game. Holmgren averages 3.9 boards, Schweim averages 3.7 and Bremer averages 3.3 rpg.
Emilee Thiesse is in her 14th season as the head coach of the Mavericks, she currently holds a career record of 253-124 (.671) in that span.
