Olstads Pave Way For Comeback Win At Holiday Classic

Dec. 20– ST. PAUL, Minn. - Sisters Kali and Candace Olstad combined for 27 second half points in a late 78-74 Golden Bear win over Lynn University (6-2) of Boca Raton, Fla.  Kali finished with a team high 18 points, while Candace notched six of the team's final eight field goals on her way to 17 points.  Concordia (9-3) continues play at the 2008 Radisson Hotel Roseville Holiday Classic tomorrow at 3:00 against Valley City State. The Golden  Bears were down by a bucket, 35-33 at the half after shooting 36.7% from the field and committing 13 turnovers.  Lynn University was never able to gain more than a seven point lead due to 31.0% shooting, however. The Fighting Knights went up 41-36 in the opening minutes of the second period with continued points in the pain, an area in which they dominated the first half.  The Golden Bears kept the margin slim until the midpoint of the period, where they then scored 14 unanswered points to claim an 11 point, 64-53 lead.  Rebounding was instrumental in Concordia taking control of the game.  The Golden Bears nabbed 25 second half boards to Lynn's 16, including seven from senior Abby Nielsen.  The Golden Bears are a perfect 5-0 this year when out-rebounding their opponent. Candace Olstad hit 7-of-8 field goals to get Concordia back on track in the second half.  All 17 of her points came in the closing period and she accounted for more than half of the team's final points down the stretch.  Lynn University made things interesting with good defense in the final minutes, however.  Down 70-61 with little more than three minutes to play, the Fighting Knights scored eight straight points and were down by just a single point, 70-69, at the two minute mark.  An offensive rebound by Jamie Jones gave way to a Kali Olstad bucket in the paint to push the margin back to three.  The Golden Bears sealed the game at the free throw line, making all six of their late attempts and taking the 78-74 win. Kali (18) and Candace (17) Olstad topped the scoring list as each hit 50% of their shots from the field.  Kali hit four three-pointers on the afternoon.  Zoraa Quoie's 8-of-9 free throws guided her to a 12 point performance, followed by Kelly Supernaw with ten points.  Both C. Olstad and Supernaw pulled down seven rebounds.  The top player on the glass was Nielsen, who pulled down a career high ten boards.  The Golden Bears shot 51.7% in the second half to finish the game with a 44.1% mark.  They had a season high 52 rebounds. Lynn University shot 37.2% from the field in the game, taking nearly 80 looks at the hoop through 40 minutes (29-78).  The Fighting Knights were out-rebounded 52-40 by the Golden Bears.  Madeleine Doyle had a team high 16 points and pulled down nine boards for her team.  Crystal Ahmed had 15 points and 14 rebounds.  The quick and athletic team came up with ten steals, including three from Ahmed.