BISMARCK, N.D. (McDowell Activity Center) -- Sophomore center Rachael Heittola recorded her fifth 20-point game of the season to stage a near-comeback Friday night during a 70-67 loss at the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D. The Beavers (5-5, 3-3 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) completed a 20-point comeback but wasn’t able to take a lead against the Marauders (7-7, 2-4 NSIC).

Heittola led all players with 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting, also leading BSU for the ninth time this season. She scored 16 of her 23 points over the final 12:46 of game play and added seven rebounds and five assists.

Bemidji State opened the game cold from the floor, making just one field goal through the first quarter en route to a 21-6 deficit. Senior forward Claire Wolhowe made the Beavers’ only shot of the period, a 3-pointer, followed by two free throws from senior guard Trinity Yoder with seven seconds to play. The Marauders made three of their first five shots in the game to take a 12-1 lead with 5:21 in the first half. UMary took the early advantage behind 14 points in the paint and five second-chance points.

The Marauders’ lead was extended to a game-high 20 points, 29-9, to begin the second quarter following an 8-3 run over a three-minute span. After a 3-pointer from junior guard Coley Rezabek, Heittola converted her first field goal of the game to begin a half-ending run for the Beavers. Bemidji State went 7-of-11 from the field to finish the second quarter on a 15-4 run, cutting its 20-point deficit to nine, 33-24, heading into halftime. Junior guard Maddie Schires scored five points during the run, including a 3-pointer with 34 seconds to play, before Yoder hit a jumper at the buzzer.

Bemidji State warmed up from the floor hitting 4-of-4 field goals to start the second half, going on a 9-2 run to pull within two points, 35-33. Senior guard Sydney Zerr hit her first 3-pointer of the game to bring the Beavers within two points, its closest margin since 8:38 in the first quarter. BSU missed its next two shots which helped UMary to start a 16-4 run over a 4:18 span. The Marauders regained a double-digit lead before Heittola scored the final six points of the third quarter to cut the Beavers’ deficit to eight again, 51-43.

The Beavers and Marauders traded the first six scores to start the fourth quarter as UMary took a 58-49 lead less than three minutes into the period. Zerr followed one minute later with her second 3-pointer to start a 13-2 run for BSU. The Beavers went 5-of-7 from the field during the 4:45 span, including the game-tying score from junior forward Taylor Vold. Vold took an assist from Heittola on a layup to tie the game, 62-62, with just two minutes to play.

UMary answered Vold’s layup with back-to-back scores, the second coming off a BSU turnover, to push its lead back to two possessions with one minute to play. The Beavers missed a 3-point attempt which forced them into fouling. UMary converted 4-of-4 free throws to close the game, holding off a 3-pointer from Heittola to bring BSU within one point.

Vold scored a season-high 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting while Yoder totaled 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Bemidji State shot 45.0 percent from the field (27-60), 30.0 percent from 3-point range (6-20) and 53.8 percent from the free throw line (7-13). UMary won the rebound battle, 37-32, and outscored BSU in second-chance points, 11-0.

Bemidji State closes its weekend with a 5:30 p.m. tip-off Saturday at Minot State University.

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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