MARSHALL, Minn. (R/A Facility) -- Bemidji State University women's basketball featured a 20-point scorer for the second straight game during a 70-67 win over Southwest Minnesota State University on Saturday evening at R/A Facility in Marshall, Minn. The Beavers improve to 10-7 overall and 8-5 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference while the Mustangs fall to 9-7 and 6-6 in the NSIC.

Sophomore center Rachael Heittola led the Beavers with 21 points, her sixth 20-point game of the season, on 9-of-16 shooting from the field with 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. Junior guard Coley Rezabek added 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-6 from long range, while senior guard Brooklyn Bachmann came off the bench to score 11 points.

Senior guard Trinity Yoder led the Beavers with nine assists and added nine points to bring herself within 21 points of 1,000 in her career.

Bemidji State's defense limited the Southwest Minnesota State offense through the game and held a slim 10-9 lead after the first quarter. The Mustangs took advantage in the second quarter with seven points off turnovers and 10 points in the paint to hold a 26-21 lead at halftime.

After totaling 21 points through the first two quarters, Bemidji State heated up from the floor to score 24 points in the third quarter, outscoring Southwest Minnesota State by 14 points in the period. BSU scored the first eight points of the third quarter and took its final lead of the game, 33-32, on a free throw from junior forward Taylor Vold with 4:22 to play in the quarter.

BSU's nine-point, 45-36 lead heading into the fourth quarter was minimized to just three points after an 8-2 SMSU run to open the final period. Bachmann and Rezabek followed with fast break layups, Rezabek's ending as a converted and-one opportunity. Scores from Heittola and another fast break layup by Bachmann gave BSU its only double-digit lead of the game, 56-46, with 5:31 to play.

The Mustangs hung around with the Beavers over the final minute, cutting a 65-59 deficit down to just two points with 16 seconds to play. An offensive foul by BSU gave SMSU possession with 13 seconds to play, but a missed layup and a free throw from Bachmann closed the game.

Bemidji State returns home Jan. 28-29 to face Augustana University and Wayne State College at BSU Gymnasium.

For more information on the Bemidji State athletic programs, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on Twitter (@BSUBeavers), or like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers).

Nestled in Northern Minnesota's wooded region and located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University 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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