WINONA, Minn. - An NSIC title is up for grabs at 2:00 this afternoon in Winona, with perennial NSIC stronghold Concordia University (21-11) facing off with NSIC rookie, St. Cloud State (21-8). Make the quick trip down to cheer on the Golden Bears in person, or view the game LIVE at www.northernsun.tv. - LIVE STATS - UPDATED BRACKET - VIEW RELEASE
The Golden Bears are appearing in their fifth NSIC Tournament championship game in six years, having won three tourney titles to date. They are peaking at just the right time of year, having won six straight games, including knocking off #1 Minnesota State and the tournament's #4 seed Augustana College. The streak also includes a Feb. 25 win over St. Cloud State.
Both the Golden Bears and Huskies will be battling for their postseason lives in this afternoon's game, with the winner receiving an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament and the losers missing out on the Dance. Both squads are led by seniors who will try to propel their team into continued play.
Candace Olstad is averaging 13.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game for Concordia. She has a 49% field goal average and is coming off of a double-double performance against Augustana.
Katie Tacheny is both the emotional and statistical leader for the Huskies. She leads the NSIC with 16.9 ppg and is second in the conference with 80 steals this season.
Despite their #8 seed in the tournament, Concordia is the team to beat. They have never missed the NCAA Tournament in any year in which they have been eligible (6). The Golden Bears dominated the Huskies in a regular season game played just two weeks ago, but the Huskies had the dominant game in the first meeting of the season.
There may be some bad blood remaining between the teams from their last postseason battles. The Golden Bears and Huskies met in the North Central Region tournament in 2005 and 2006. Riding high from a monumental win over North Dakota in the 2005 semifinals, Concordia was bounced in the championship game by the Huskies, 81-70. The following year, St. Cloud State finished Concordia's season in the regional semifinals before going on to the NCAA Division II Final Four.
The championship game tips off at 2:00 pm in McCown Gymnasium. Tickets are still available through www.ticketadvantage.com and can also be purchased at the door.
GO BEARS!
