GREELEY, Colo. (Interstat) — Neenah George scored 26 points and Erin Powell added 23 to lead Northern Colorado to a 72-68 overtime victory over Lamar in a non-conference women’s basketball game Saturday at Butler-Hancock Athletic Center.

In a game that saw 16 lead changes and was tightly contested throughout, the Bears improved to 2-0 on the young season while the Lady Cardinals fell to 0-1.

The game was sent to an extra period after Lamar’s Taliah Hill made one of two free throws with 16 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the score at 61. Northern Colorado had a chance to win it in the final seconds, but a missed 3-pointer by George sent the contest to overtime.

Northern Colorado seized control in the extra frame, outscoring Lamar 11-7. George, a 5-foot-8 guard from Dallas, scored six of her points in overtime, including a driving layup with 26 seconds left that put the Bears up by four. Lamar had two chances to tie in the final 10 seconds but missed a pair of 3-point attempts.

The contest was a tale of contrasting halves. Lamar controlled the early going, leading 13-7 after the first quarter and extending its advantage to nine points in the second period. But Northern Colorado responded with a dominant 23-point second quarter to take a 30-29 lead into halftime.

Lamar’s Shaila Forman led all scorers with 18 points, while Molly Powell added 12 for the Lady Cardinals. Solenne Olenga contributed nine points, six rebounds and a block for Lamar.

The teams were nearly identical in several statistical categories. Both squads shot just over 40% from the field, with Lamar converting 25 of 62 attempts and Northern Colorado making 28 of 61. Both teams also recorded eight assists and eight steals.

Northern Colorado’s Tatum West nearly posted a double-double with nine points and seven rebounds, while Aniah Hall added six points, five rebounds and two blocks.

Lamar’s Jacei Denley scored 13 points and Kamryn Wilson added eight in the losing effort.

The game was played before an announced crowd of 650 at the Butler-Hancock Athletic Center.

Lamar will look for its first win when it travels to face Kansas State on Monday. Northern Colorado returns to action Tuesday when it hosts Bethany.