Complete Release (PDF)

MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State women's basketball team finished the 2008-09 season with a 14-16 overall record and 6-14 in the NSIC.  The Mustangs' conference campaign garnered them an 11th-place spot in the final  conference standings

Letterwinners
Seniors (3):
Sara Leidall, Abby Oakland, Megan Wittkop
Juniors (2):
Megan Stadler, Kady Telschow
Sophomores (4):
Tori Fink, Laura Kramer, Heather Smith, Aneshia Starks
Freshmen (3):
Abby Kenealy, Annie Smith, Taylor Voss

Honors
SMSU senior forward Sara Leidall was named All-NSIC second team.  It was her third all-conference award of her career; she was also named All-NSIC honorable mention in 2007-08 and was the NSIC Newcomer of the Year in 2005-06.

Academic All-NSIC
Five SMSU players received an Academic All-NSIC certificate.  To be eligible for the honor, a student-athlete must be a member of the varsity traveling team, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.20, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at her or his institution and completed at least one full academic year at their institution.  Laura Kramer, Sara Leidall, Abby Oakland, Kady Telschow and Megan Wittkop each received the accolade.

Oakland Named Academic All-District
Abby Oakland was named to the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V College Division third team on Feb. 5, 2009.

Oakland, a 5-foot-8 guard from Fulda, Minn., boasts a 3.98 grade point average as a sports management major. 

A Grand for Leidall
Sara Leidall reached the 1,000-point mark in SMSU's 107-45 win over Mayville State (N.D.) on  Nov. 18, scoring 11 points in 14 minutes.  She became the 16th player in school history to reach that milestone.  She currently has 1,291 points (ranks 10th) and 588 rebounds (12th) in her career.  She became the ninth player in school history to reach the 1,000 points/500 rebounds club with her 500th career rebound on Dec. 12 against Northern State.

1,000 Points and 500 Rebounds Club
    Pts.    Reb.
Julie Thein (1987-91)    1,800    913
Lillie Brown (1992-96)    1,759    895
Michelle Bruns (2001-05)    1,635    596
Andrea Schreier (1997-01)    1,570    689
Shelli Schoeneck (1999-03)    1,488    506
Cindy Olson (1976-80)    1,463    655
Sara Leidall (2005-current)    1,306    595
Regan French (2001-05)    1,018    633
Amy Boman (1998-02)    1,009    589

Sharp Shooters
Megan Wittkop, Abby Oakland, Sara Leidall and Kady Telschow finished the season ranked among SMSU's best all-time shooters.  Wittkop exits SMSU fourth in career free throw percentage and fourth in three-point percentage.  Leidall leaves in the top-10 in free throw percentage.  Telschow is currently the career three-point percentage record holder at 45.9 percent (51-of-112).  Oakland says goodbye first in career free-throw percentage and also ranks in the top-10 in three-point field goals made.

Free throw percentage (minimum 100 made)
.856    Abby Oakland (125-146)    2005-09
.842    Mary Roddel (256-304)    2000-04
.833    Shannon Dunse (120-144)    1989-93
.815    Megan Wittkop (132-162)    2005-09
.785    Nicole Bullock (117-149)    1998-02
.785    Andrea Schreier (409-521)    1997-01
.777    Shelli Schoeneck (380-489)    1999-03
.771    Amy Buschow (168-218)    1990-93
.762    Sara Leidall (186-244)    2004-09
.760    Traci Robinson (193-254)    1988-90

3-point field goals made
190    Michelle Bruns (119 games)    2001-05
177    Dani Coleman (110 games)    1996-00
169    Mary Roddel (121 games)    2000-04
142    Kelly Crimi (105 games)    2002-06
118    Megan Wittkop (110 games)    2005-09
114    Erin Frye (107 games)    1997-01
109    Andrea Schreier (111 games)    1997-01
96    Abby Oakland (114 games)    2005-09
84    Shelli Schoeneck (122 games)    1999-03
72    Darcy Peterka (101 games)    1988-92

3-point FG percentage (minimum 50 made)
.464    Kady Telschow (51-110)    2006-09
.427    Andrea Schreier (109-255)    1997-01
.396    Megan Wittkop (118-298)    2005-09
.390    Dani Coleman (177-454)    1996-00
.379    Michelle Bruns (190-501)    2001-05
.379    Haneefah McNair (55-145)    1993-96
.378    Shelli Schoeneck (84-222)    1999-03
.378    Mary Roddel (169-447)    2000-04
.363    Sara Leidall (74-204)    2005-09
.362    Kelly Crimi (142-392)    2002-06

Big Numbers
The Southwest Minnesota State scored over 100 points in consecutive games for the first time in school history after defeating Chadron State (Neb.) 111-75 on Nov. 15 and Mayville State (N.D.) 107-45 on Nov. 18.  The 100-point games were the sixth and seventh in program's history.  The Mustangs also put up 105 against Minnesota-Morris on Dec. 19

100-point games
2/15/88    Sioux Falls (S.D.)    W 105-80
11/19/88    at Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)    W 104-102 ot
1/14/00    Minnesota, Crookston    W 108-51
12/8/00    at Minnesota-Morris    W 110-47
2/19/08    North Central (Minn.)    W 116-42
11/15/08    Chadron State (Neb.)    W 111-75
11/18/08    Mayville State (N.D.)    W 107-45
12/19/08    Minnesota-Morris    W 105-64

Dishing it Out
Abby Oakland crept into the top-10 in career assists at SMSU in 2008-09.  She leaves SMSU with 330 to rank sixth in school history. 

History of the Program
Southwest Minnesota State finished its 40th season of women's basketball and has played 987 games, compiling an all time record of 530-457.  SMSU has racked up 25 winning seasons with 10 coming in the last 15 years.  The 2000-01 squad won a school record 25 games and made an appearance at the NCAA Tournament.

Mustangs at Home
The R/A Facility, the home of SMSU basketball, has been a tough place to play for opponents since opening its doors for the 1996-97 season.   In 11 seasons of playing in the Mustang home arena, SMSU women's basketball has compiled a record of 103-64.

Year    Overall    NSIC    Non-Conf.
1996-97    6-6    2-4    4-2
1997-98    5-6    3-3    2-3
1998-99    11-2    6-0    5-2     
1999-00    11-3    7-2    4-1     
2000-01    12-0    9-0    3-0
2001-02    11-2    8-1    3-1
2002-03    11-3    7-2    4-1
2003-04    3-7    2-6    1-1     
2004-05    10-4    5-2    5-2
2005-06    5-9    3-4    2-5
2006-07    5-8    3-6    2-2
2007-08    4-8    2-5    2-2
2008-09    9-6    3-6    5-0
Totals    103-64    60-41    43-22

Jump Start
SMSU has played well in season openers recently, winning 11 of its last 12 season-opening games after defeating No. 9 Delta State on Oct. 31 at the Disney Classic.  Last season, Southwest won 72-54 at Chadron State (Neb.) to open the 2007-08 season.


Among the Best
Sara Leidall was named honorable mention All-NSIC last season after the leading the Mustangs in scoring and rebounds.  She became the first player in two seasons to earn postseason honors from the NSIC.   Kelly Crimi and Leidall were each named second team All-NSIC in 2005-06.

Going Big Time
It is believed that Heather Smith is SMSU women's basketball's first-ever NCAA Division I transfer.  Records going back through the mid-1980s show no women's basketball players transfering to SMSU from a Division I school.  Smith transfered to SMSU during the spring of 2008 from Liberty University (Va.).

SMSU Picked Ninth in Preseason Poll
The Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs women's basketball team was picked to finish ninth in the Preseason Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Coaches' Poll.  The announcement came from the NSIC offices in St. Paul.

SMSU received 91 points in the poll, while first place Minnesota State, Mankato had 179 points and 11 first-place votes.  Augustana was picked to finish second and received three first-place votes.  Defending NSIC champion Concordia-St. Paul was third.

Minnesota State, Mankato guard Heather Johnson was picked as the NSIC Preseason Player of the Year.  Johnson led MSU in scoring last season, averaging 16.9 points.  She also set a school record with 81 three-pointers last season.

2008-09 Season Player Notes
#11 Tori Fink: Has started 23 of 30 games ... averaged 8.4 points ...  second on the team with 78 assists (2.6 per game) ... scored  15 points in overtime loss against Mary on Dec. 13 ... scored season-high 15 points, grabbed career-high eight rebounds and dished out five assists in victory of Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) on Dec. 29 ... put up 11 points in victory over No. 11 MSU Moorhead on Jan. 2 ... had 13 points and five rebounds against Minnesota Duluth on Jan. 30 ... netted career-high 16 points against MSU Moorhead on Feb. 6 ... 1.22 assist-to-turnover ratio.

#5 Abby Kenealy: Played in 29 of 30 games and averaged 13.2 minutes off the bench ... averaging 5.2 points and 2.1 rebounds ... has blocked 13 shots ... scored career-high 16 points, hitting 8-of-9 free throws against Augustana on Nov. 29 ... scored 10 points in 26 minutes against Minnesota, Crookston on Jan. 3 ... had 11 points against Bemidji State on Jan. 31 ... shooting 42.1 percent from the field ... had three blocks and 13 points vs. Northern State on Feb. 28.

#45 Laura Kramer: Played in all 30 games, starting 23 ... averaged 21.8 minutes, 7.7 points and 5.9 rebounds ... led the team in rebounding and blocked shots with 31 ... shot 48.0 percent from the field ... grabbed career-high 12 rebounds in start against Upper Iowa on Nov. 30 ... scored 10 points against No. 17  Minnesota State, Mankato on Dec. 6 and against Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) on Dec. 29  ... had nine points and 11 rebounds against Mary on Dec. 13 ... had career-high 15 points against Winona State on Jan. 9 ... posted first career double-double (12 points, 12 rebounds) against Winona State on Jan. 11. ... grabbed 10 rebounds against St. Coud State on Jan. 16.. scored 16 points against Wayne State on Feb. 25 ... had three double-doubles on the season.

#33 Sara Leidall: 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in career ... scored 1,000th point against Mayville State (N.D.) on Nov. 18 and grabbed 500th rebound against Northern State on Dec. 12 ... for the season, led the team in minutes per game (27.1) and scoring (13.1) ... shooting 42.7  percent from the field ... sscored over 20 points twice this season ... scored 20 points in win over American International (Mass.) on Nov. 1 ... scored 21 points in win over Upper Iowa on Nov. 30, scoring seven points in the final five minutes to help SMSU close the game on a 15-2 run ... scored 10 points in SMSU's upset of No. 11 MSU Moorhead on Jan. 2 ... dropped 16 points on Uper Iowa on Jan. 10 and 15 points on Wayne State on Jan. 24 ... netted 15 points against Minnesota Duluth on Jan. 30 ... scored 16 points versus Minnesota, Crookston on Feb. 7 ... had game-high 19 points in loss to Concordia-St. Paul on Feb. 14.

#34 Abby Oakland:  Started 27 of 30 games ... second on the team in minutes per game (26.3), third in rebounding (4.5) and fourth in scoring (7.7 points per game)... first on the team in free throw percentage (.906) ... scored career-high 22 points, hitting, 8-of-13 from the field, in win over Mount Mercy (Iowa) on Nov. 22  ... has dished out 67 assists ... sank career-high six three-pointers for game-high 20 points against Wayne State on Jan. 24 ... scored 20 points in 82-73 upset of St. Cloud State on Feb. 13.

#25 Annie Smith: Played in 21 of 30 games, averaging 9.6 minutes, 3.2 points and 2.3 rebounds ...  blocked 15 shots, ranking second on the team ... scored six points against Chadron State (Neb.) and Mayville State (N.D.) ... also pulled down four rebounds and had two blocked shots against Chadron State on Nov. 15 ... scored five points in nine minutes against Northern State on Dec. 12 ... scored career-high 12 points against Minnesota-Morris on Dec. 19 ... had seven points and eight rebounds against Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) on Dec. 29 ... sat out last three games with an injury.

#20 Heather Smith: Has played in 29 of 30 games, averaging 12.6 minutes off the bench ... averaged 3.5 points ... scored career-high 29 points on 9-of-12 shooting with four steals in win over Chadron State (Neb.) on Nov. 15 ... transfer from NCAA Division I Liberty University (Va.) ... scored 13 points on 3-of-5 shooting from behind the arc against Minnesota-Morris on Dec. 19 ... had 11 points versus St. Cloud State Feb. 13.

#3 Megan Stadler: Has started 26 of 30 games, averaging 24.6 minutes  ... averaged 6.4 points ... led the team in assists with 138 and second in steals with 35 ... second on the team in three-point percentage (.509) and shot 80.0 percent from the line ... dished out seven assists in wins over Chadron State (Neb.) and Mayville State (N.D.) ... scored career-high 20 points, hitting 4-of-4 from the outside, in win over Upper Iowa on Nov. 30  ... scored 11 points and hit game-winning free throws against No. 11 MSU Moorhead on Jan. 2... scored 15 points and had five assists against Minnesota, Crookston on Jan. 3 ... dished out eight assists against Upper Iowa on Jan. 10 ... had career-high 10 assists against St. Cloud State on Feb. 13 and against Wayne State on Feb. 25.

#10 Aneshia Starks: Started 14 of 28 games this season, averaging 14.6 minutes, 3.8 points and 2.3 rebounds ... led the team with 31 steals ... shot 35.4 percent from the field ... did not start a game last season ... scored season-high nine points against Chadron State (Neb.) on Nov. 15 ... had 10 steals in three-game stretch from Nov. 15 - Nov. 22 ... missed the second half of Upper Iowa game on Nov. 30 due to injury ... tied a career-high with four steals against Minnesota-Morris on Dec. 19 ...  has sat out last 11 games with an injury.

#42 Kady Telschow: Played in 16 of 29 games ... averaged 6.3 minutes and 1.8 points  ... drilled a 3-pointer against Northern State on Dec. 12, her first 3-pointer since Nov. 30, 2007 against Bemidji State after leading the NSIC in 3-point shooting as a true freshman in 2006-07 ... scored season-high eight points against Minnesota State on Feb. 21.

#14 Trisha Van Dusseldorp: Redshirted.

#32 Taylor Voss:  Played in all 30 games, starting one ... averaged 14.7 minutes and 5.3 points per game ...  shot 35.3 percent from the outside and was second the team in three-pointers made with 36 ... forced 20 steals and blocked eight shots ... scored 11 points, connecting on 4-of-8 shots, to go with three steals, in win over Mount Mercy (Iowa) on Nov. 22 ... pulled down season-high five rebounds against Mary on Dec. 13 ... poured in career-high 14 points  against Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) on Dec. 29. 

#24 Megan Wittkop: Ranks fourth in school history in free throw percentage (.815), fifth in three-pointers made (115) and third in three-point percentage (.391) ... had season-high 12 points versus Augustana on Jan. 23 ... has played in 26 games as a reserve ... averaging 2.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in 11.1 minutes per game.