BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University Women's Basketball has been projected to finish 16^th in this year's Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, as announced by the conference Thursday afternoon. 
 
Junior guard Aubrey Heyer earned the team's Preseason Player to watch nod after leading the Beavers' efforts under the rim last season. Starting in all 26 games, Heyer averaged 5.1 rebounds per game with a total of 133. She averaged 1.5 per game on offense and 3.6 on defense, leading the team in offensive boards with 39 total. Heyer was fifth on the team in scoring with 115 total points. Heyer was fifth in both field goal and three-point shooting and fourth at the free throw line.
 
"Aubrey comes back with a lot of valuable experience under her belt," said first-year Head Coach Madison McKeever. "Of all our returning players, she comes back with the most minutes, and that experience is going to be important for our team. She is familiar with our conference, understands the level of competition, and knows what it takes to make an impact on both ends of the floor. Her experience gives her a great foundation heading into this season, and I'm excited to see her continue to grow in her role. I'm really looking forward to seeing what Aubrey has in store for our team this season. I think her experience, confidence, and understanding of our program can make a big difference for us.
 
Last season, BSU averaged 64.3 points per game and finished the season 9-17 overall and 6-16 in the conference, taking seventh in the North Division and 13^th overall. Bemidji State's three-point shooting was in the top 50 percent of the conference during the 2025-26 season, ranking sixth with 7.4 threes per game for a total of 192. The Beavers also defended the arc well, taking second in three-point defense and holding opponents to a .288 shooting percentage from the arc. 
 
"This group has been a lot of fun to get to know," said McKeever. "We have a lot of new faces, and we also have several players who haven't had the opportunity to see a lot of playing time in the past. What stands out to me is the excitement and energy they bring into the gym every day. You can tell this group is hungry. They're eager to compete, eager to improve, and eager to show what they can do. There's a lot of work ahead of us, but there's also a lot of excitement surrounding this team. I'm really looking forward to seeing this group step on the floor and show what they're about. I think our fans are going to enjoy watching this team grow and compete throughout the season."
 
BSU kicks off the 2026-27 season on November 17 at St. Cloud State University at 6 p.m. The Beavers' first home contest is set for Nov. 21 against Valley City State University at 3:30 p.m., followed by University of Minnesota Duluth Nov. 24 and Michigan Technological University Nov. 27. BSU's full NSIC schedule kicks off at the start of December with a trip to University of Minnesota Crookston Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
 
For more information on the Bemidji State women's basketball program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaversWBB), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and like them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversWBB).
 
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).