Late Spark Brings Intensity Against U-Mary

ST. PAUL, Minn. - A late spark of intensity gave way to a 16-0 Golden Bear scoring spree in a Saturday evening matchup with the Marauders of the University of Mary.  The Marauders laid in the go-ahead bucket with five seconds remaining to overcome the Concordia pressure in a 66-65 decision.  The Golden Bears now look ahead to a set of road games, getting on the bus with a 13-8 overall and 5-6 NSIC record.  The Marauders improve to 10-8 on the season and are also 5-6 in the league. The Golden Bears took a 33-26 lead into halftime, shooting hot in the first ten minutes of the game before cooling to a 36.7% average in the first 20 minutes.  The Marauders evened the score within the first four minutes of the second period, due in large part to the work of Abby Bratlien.  Bratlien scored nine points to CU's single free throw, hitting a long range shot and then completing two old fashioned three-point plays to give the Marauders their first lead of the second period, 37-36 at the 17:35 mark. Concordia fell behind by as many as ten points, with the Marauders finding slip passes down low and also hitting mid-range jumpers to gain the lead.  The Golden Bears were successful on the boards and attempted to pick up the pace of the game in transition, but missed field goals and fouls caused troubles on the scoreboard.  Down ten points, 59-49 at the 6:10 mark, the Golden Bears ripped off 16 unanswered points to take back the lead.  Jamie Jones started things at the free throw line, two of five CU free shots in the streak.  Abby Nielsen came off the bench in a huge way for the Golden Bears, nailing three of three long range shots to turn the tide Concordia's way.  Her third and final triple put Concordia up 65-59 with 2:21 remaining.  Zoraa Quoie contributed just as much, assisting Nielsen in each of her threes and taking away three steals from the Marauders. With the slim lead, the Golden Bears looked to hold off the Marauders for the win, but the University of Mary had other plans.  Bratlien hit a jumper in the paint before Sonny Schulz got to the free throw line after being fouled in Concordia's territory.  A Marauder layup followed to set Concordia's lead at a single digit with 47 seconds to play.  Schulz pulled down another rebound following a Golden Bear miss and gave her team a last chance to score with 24 seconds remaining.  The night's leading scorer, Abby Bratlien, sunk Concordia's hopes, nabbing an offensive board and laying in the go-ahead bucket with five seconds remaining. The Marauders, who have been a strong defensive team all season, held Concordia to just 36.2% shooting on the evening.  Candace Olstad finished the game with a team high 18 points and nine boards.  Jamie Jones had 14 points for Concordia, followed by Nielsen and Quoie with nine each.  Quoie had an outstanding game both offensively and defensively, also adding nine assists, six steals and six rebounds. Bratlien's 22 points led all players in the game.  Liz Sipma marked a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.  She also had three steals.  The Marauders shot 37.3% from the field and out-rebounded the Golden Bears 46-41. The Golden Bears hit the road next weekend, heading out to Augustana and Wayne State on Friday and Saturday.