GARDEN CITY, Colo. (Interstat) — In a back-and-forth affair that required an extra period to decide, the Northern Colorado Bears outlasted the Lamar Lady Cardinals 72-68 in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at Butler-Hancock Athletic Center.

The game, played before an announced crowd of 650, saw the Bears improve their season record to 2-0, while the Lady Cardinals, who were projected as favorites by statistical models, dropped their season opener.

Northern Colorado was propelled by a dominant second-quarter performance and a stellar outing from guard Neenah George. The Dallas native scored a game-high 26 points, including several crucial baskets down the stretch in regulation and overtime. She was complemented by Erin Powell, who added 23 points. Powell, a 6-foot guard from Hampshire, England, was instrumental in the Bears’ 23-point second quarter that erased an early Lamar lead.

The Lady Cardinals started strong, dictating the pace in the first quarter and building a 29-30 lead at halftime. Lamar’s Shaila Forman, a guard from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, kept her team in the fight with 18 points, while Jacei Denley of Beaumont, Texas, chipped in 13.

The third quarter belonged to Lamar, which outscored Northern Colorado 20-13 to reclaim the lead heading into the final period. The game tightened significantly in the fourth quarter, featuring multiple lead changes and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

With the score tied and time expiring in regulation, Northern Colorado’s George drove to the basket for a layup and was fouled with 13 seconds remaining. She converted the free throw to complete the three-point play, giving the Bears a 61-58 lead. Lamar responded out of a timeout, drawing a foul on a shot attempt with under two seconds left. After making the first free throw, a lane violation was called, and the shooter was awarded a second attempt, which she made to force overtime, knotted at 61-61.

In the extra period, the Bears seized control early. George and Powell combined for key scores, and a layup from Tatum West of Combine, Texas, who finished with 9 points and 7 rebounds, provided a cushion Lamar could not overcome. The Lady Cardinals had a chance to tie in the final seconds, but a contested jump shot rimmed out, sealing the victory for the home team.

Statistically, the game was remarkably even. Both teams finished with 28 field goals and 8 assists. Lamar held a slight edge in offensive rebounds, 13-9, but also committed 16 turnovers to Northern Colorado’s 18. The shooting from three-point range was nearly identical, with Lamar converting 4 of 15 attempts and Northern Colorado making 3 of 13. The difference ultimately came at the free-throw line, where the Bears made 13 of their 17 attempts, while Lamar went 14 for 19.

Lamar’s Solenne Olenga, a 6-foot-1 forward from Lubumbashi, DR Congo, provided a strong interior presence with 9 points, 6 rebounds and a block. For Northern Colorado, Aniah Hall of Temple, Texas, contributed 6 points, 5 rebounds and a block.

The Lady Cardinals will look to rebound quickly as they travel to face Kansas State on Monday. Northern Colorado, riding the momentum of its early-season success, is scheduled to host Bethany on Tuesday.