MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball head coach Allison Kruger announced on Tuesday that guard Amber Peterson from Iowa Western Community College has signed a letter of intent to continue her academic and basketball career at SMSU. 

The announcement brings SMSU's recruiting class for 2010-11 to six total players.  Guard Breanna Holleman from Hancock, Minn., forward Hannah Beeler from Indianola, Iowa, forward Jessie Watts from Omaha, Neb., guard Sam Abens from Knoxville, Iowa, and forward Ellen Degler from Chaska, Minn., all signed during the early signing period in November.

Peterson, a 5-foot-9, guard, originally from Elkhorn, Neb., has played the last two seasons at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  She will have two years of eligibility remaining at SMSU.

This past season, Peterson earned first team all-region honors averaging 6.7 points and a team-high 6.2 assists per game.  She finished the season leading the team with 206 assists in 32 games, while finishing second with 58 steals.  She dished out eight or more assists in a single game 10 times during the season.  Peterson ended the season shooting 37.9 percent from the field and 36 percent from 3-point range.  As a freshman in 2008-09, Peterson averaged 6.7 points and 4.4 assists per game and shot 39 percent from the field.

“We are very excited Amber decided to join the Mustang family and is a great fit for this program,” Kruger said.  “Amber is a very talented point guard with great vision and has the ability to score at the rim or from the 3-point line.  She will create many opportunities for her teammates and put a lot of pressure on opposing teams.” 

A 2008 graduate of Elkhorn High School, Peterson was a four-year starter for EHS and averaged 8.7 points and 3.4 assists per game as a senior, while earning all-conference and all-state honorable mention honors.  A four-time all-conference honoree, Peterson was also a member of Nebraska Class B state championship teams in both soccer and softball.

“With the loss of several players from last year's roster, Amber will be expected to step in an provide leadership for this team,” Kruger said.  “She brings experience and comes from a successful Junior College program that has produced great players over the years.” 

Southwest Minnesota State University, located in Marshall, is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.  SMSU finished 15-12 this past season, recording the program's first winning season since 2004-05.  Kruger begins her first season as head coach in 2010-11, after being named to the position on April 7.