Beavers to face Devils, Fire at Southeastern Tournament this weekend

Bemidji State University women’s basketball travels to Florida Nov. 26-27 to take on the University of Sciences and Southeastern University as part of the SEU Thanksgiving Tournament. The Beavers tip-off against the Devils and Fire at 4 p.m. both days at The Furnace in Lakeland, Fla. Bemidji State began its 2021-22 season 2-0 after wins of 79-51 over Mayville State University and 79-46 over Valley City State University. The majority of BSU’s points came from the lane, averaging 45.0 points in the paint over the first two games.

Sophomore center Rachael Heittola leads BSU with 16.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, including a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds in the season opener against Mayville State.

Senior guard Brooklyn Bachmann became the 21st student-athlete in program history to reach 1,000 career points after scoring six points against VCSU. Bachmann is second on BSU with seven field goals made this season. She is 11 rebounds away from reaching 500 in her career. Senior guard Trinity Yoder is the only other Beaver in double-digit scoring, averaging 10.0 points per game on 46.2 percent shooting from the field. Junior guard Maddie Schires leads the team with four 3-pointers and averages 9.5 points per game. She is shooting 36.4 percent from the field while senior forward Claire Wolhowe leads the team shooting 75.0 percent from beyond the arc.

Freshman forward Jana Swanson is 5-of-6 shooting from the field to start the season, including a 4-for-4 performance in BSU’s win over VCSU. Bemidji State also won an exhibition against the University of Minnesota-Morris, 77-58, Nov. 20 in Bemidji. Heittola led the Beavers with 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting in 13 minutes of play. Junior guard Coley Rezabek followed in scoring with 11 points while freshman forward Jana Swanson led the team with 12 rebounds.

Bemidji State has played two tournaments in Florida through program history (12/15-17/1990 and 11/25-26/2011). Bemidji State enters the weekend leading the conference allowing 48.5 points per game, shooting 46.9 percent from the floor, allowing 27.2 percent from the field, grabbing 50.0 rebounds per game and an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.23.

The Beavers rank second scoring 79.0 points per game, fourth with a turnover margin of 3.50 and 14th allowing 40.5 rebounds per game.