Golden Bear Women Top Beavers

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Concordia University's women's basketball team shot 48.3% from the field to gain an 85-71 win over Bemidji State (2-12, 0-7 NSIC) on Friday night and improve to 12-4 on the year and 4-2 in NSIC play.  The Beavers are now 2-12 overall and 0-7 in the league. Zoraa Quoie paced the Golden Bears with 21 total points in the game, also grabbing five rebounds and dishing four assists.  Gillian Bjerke helped separate the teams in the second period, scoring 12 of her game's 16 points in the final 20 minutes. The two conference foes played an even first half with both teams shooting in the mid-40% range from the field.  Both teams committed at least their share of turnovers in the period, but a strong rebounding presence helped the Beavers tie the game 35-35 at the half. The Golden Bears used shots from around the roster to go up 49-42 at the 14 minute mark of the second period.  The Beavers scored the next six points to get to within a single digit before CU came to life and distanced out a lead.  By the eight minute mark, the Golden Bears led 65-52.  The largest difference in score was a 17 point CU lead.  The team ultimately took an 85-71 victory over the Beavers, who have yet to win an NSIC contest. Quoie's 21 point performance led all players in the game.  The Golden Bears had five players finish in double figures for scoring, including a career high 17 points from freshman Kelly Supernaw.  Bjerke contributed with 16 points, followed by Jamie Jones' 11 points and ten points from Candace Olstad.  A strong second half on the boards put Concordia up 38-31 on the game.  Shandrell Duncan had a team high eight boards. Bemidji State had four players score in double figures on the night.  Kiki Phillips came off the bench to lead the Beavers with 17 points.  She had 11-of-13 free throws.  Sydney Epema hit four of the team's five three-point shots before finishing with 15 points.  The Beavers had one of their strongest field goal shooting games of the year, ending up with a mark of 44.9%. Concordia heads to Minnesota Duluth for a 6:00 pm game tomorrow evening.