LAKELAND, Fla. – Sophomore Rachael Heittola posted her second double-double of the season after scoring a season-high 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, but the Bemidji State University women's basketball team fell 57-54 to University of the Sciences at the Southeastern Thanksgiving Tournament in Lakeland, Fla.

Bemidji State earned its first loss of the season and falls to 2-1 (0-0 NSIC).

The Beavers had a hot start to the game by opening the first quarter on a 12-0 run including six points from Heittola. However, the Devils (4-0) responded with their own 11-0 scoring run to pull within one at the end of the first quarter. USciences used that momentum to outscore Bemidji State 16-8 in the second quarter and hold a 27-20 advantage at the half.

USciences opened the second half with a 5-0 scoring run but the Beavers scored 14 consecutive points to take a 35-33 lead and earn their first lead since 9:06 of the second quarter. Each team traded baskets to close out the third quarter and after 30 minutes of play, USciences held a 40-39 advantage over the Beavers. 

The Devils opened the fourth quarter with five-straight points and after the first five minutes, held a 49-44 edge. Bemidji State pulled within two at 54-52 with 54 seconds to play but were stymied by the Devils' defense and fell 57-54. 

Bemidji State shot 35.3 percent (18-51) from the floor including 33.3 percent (8-24) from three-point range and 83.3 percent (10-12) from the free-throw line while USciences shot 37.9 percent (22-58), 40.0 percent (4-10) from three-point range and 64.3 percent (9-14) from the free-throw line.

Heittola's 21 points paced the Beavers after she went 5-for-13 from field, 3-for-4 from three-point range and 8-for-9 at the free throw line while senior Trinity Yoder added 10 points in 20 minutes of play and junior Maddie Schires added nine points coming off the bench.

The Beavers out-rebounded the Devils 36-33 in the game and were led by Heittola with 11 while junior Taylor Vold added eight and senior Brooklyn Bachmann totaled six. 

Bemidji State concludes play in Florida and looks to get back to its winning ways tomorrow afternoon by facing tournament host school Southeastern University at 4 p.m. CT. 

Nestled in Northern Minnesota's wooden region and located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, BSU sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's and women's hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

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