MOORHEAD, Minn. (12/28/12)—Emily Thesing had 23 points and eight rebounds to help Concordia lead wire-to-wire in their 61-48 conference-opening win over Bethel on Wednesday. The Cobbers outrebounded the Royals 45-26 in posting their second win of the season.

Concordia's edge in rebounding also translated into superior numbers around the basket. The Cobbers held a 16-2 edge in second-chance points and 22-14 in points in the paint.

Concordia (2-2/1-0 MIAC) bolted to an 18-8 lead in the first 7:11 of the game and never looked back as they beat Bethel for the third straight time. The Royals came to within three points just over 5-minutes into the second half but then an 18-4 run gave the Cobbers a comfortable 54-37 lead with 6:40 to play in the game.

Thesing had game highs in points and rebounds. Both totals are season highs for the senior guard. Thesing was 8-for-17 from the floor, 3-for-8 from behind the arc and 4-for-5 from the free throw line. She had a pair of long-range shots find their mark in the team's decisive second-half run. With the 23 points, she ups her season scoring average to 13.8 points per game. She is now averaging 5.8 rebounds per contest.

In addition to the season-best night for Thesing, the Cobbers received a 14-point, 7-rebound performance from fellow Tricia Sorensen. She was 6-for-12 from the floor. The Concordia center duo of Alexandra Lippert and Kelsey Walloch both had seven rebounds each as they combined for a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Lippert fought through foul trouble for the majority of the game and ended up fouling out of the contest with 3:34 to play in the second half.

The Cobbers wound up winning by 13 despite shooting only shot 37.3% (22-for-59) from the field and 22.2% (4-for-18) from 3-point range. The Royals connected on 38.0% (19-for-50) of the shots from the floor and 35.3% (6-for-17) of their attempts from outside the arc.

Bethel (0-2/0-1 MIAC) was led by freshman center Rachel Parupsky who had 15 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. She was the only BU player with more than nine points in the game.

Concordia will play at Augsburg on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. and then play at No.5-ranked St. Thomas on Monday, Dec. 3 at 5:45 p.m.