Oct. 16, 2009

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Bemidji State women’s basketball team is ranked 13th in the 2009-10 edition of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll, released today by the league. The Beavers received 37 points after going 3-24 overall and 1-19 in NSIC play, tying them for 13th last season. Sophomore guard Sydney Epema (Crookston, Minn.) was named BSU’s player to watch.

Minnesota State University, Mankato is the overall favorite in the poll after winning the NCAA Division II national championship in 2008-09. MSU earned 176 poitns and nine of the 13 first-place votes. Second with 154 points and two first-place votes is Concordia University-St. Paul, third is Augustana College with 145 points and two first-place votes, fourth with 142 votes is Minnesota State University Moorhead and fifth with the final first-place vote and 14 points is Winona State University. Junior Jheri Booker of the University of Minnesota, Duluth was named NSIC Women’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year.

The Beavers get their first taste of competition Nov.16 at Mayville State in Mayville, N.D. at 7 p.m. BSU will open home and Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play Dec. 4 against Minnesota State University Moorhead at 6 p.m.

Bemidji State University, located in Bemidji, Minn., is an NCAA Division II institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

--bsu--