Complete Release (PDF)
The Southwest Minnesota State (6-5 overall) women's basketball team will host the University of Minnesota-Morris (4-6 overall) on Friday, Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. in a non-conference game.
Last Week's Recap
Northern State 66, SMSU 57
Southwest Minnesota State shot just 31.1 percent from the field to lose 66-57 to Northern State on Friday. Sara Leidall and Laura Kramer were the only two Mustangs in double figures as Leidall tied a game-high with 15 points, connecting on 3-of-7 from the outside. Leidall also led SMSU with seven rebounds. Kramer tied a career-high with 12 points, while grabbing six rebounds.
Leidall went over the 500 rebound mark for her career, becoming just the ninth player in school history with over 1,000 points and 500 rebounds. She entered the game needing five to reach the milestone.
NSU?shot 47.2 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Mustangs 43 to 31. SMSU?had just 11 turnovers in the game, its third-lowest total this season.
Mary 64, SMSU?61 (overtime)
Mary rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit and hit a last-second layup in regulation to hand Southwest Minnesota State a 64-61 overtime loss Saturday night in Bismarck, N.D.
Tori Fink finished with a season-and-team-high 15 points, while Sara Leidall added 10 on the evening. Laura Kramer led the Mustangs on the boards, grabbing a team-high 11 rebounds in the loss.
One again, Southwest was plagued by poor shooting, hitting just 30.1 percent from the floor and 2-of-26 from the outside. SMSU also out-rebounded Mary 54-44, the highest rebounding total this season for the Mustangs. Additionally, the Mustangs won the turnover battle 15-to-19.
Internet Radio, Video & Stats
All SMSU women's basketball conference games during the 2008-09 season can be seen and heard on the Internet. A video Webcast is available free of charge at www.northernsun.tv while the radio broadcast is available at www.SMSUmustangs.com. Fans can also follow the game on the Internet with live in-game statistics for all home games at www.SMSUmustangs.com and clicking on the “live stats” link on the right side of the women's basketball page.
Radio Broadcast Information
SMSU women's basketball will once again be heard all season long on KARL 105.1 FM, Marshall. Sports director Aaron Ziemer will be SMSU's play-by-play announcer throughout the year for a sixth straight season.
Opponent Information
Minnesota-Morris: The Cougars enter Friday's game with a record of 4-6 overall. UMM?has been impressive offensively this season, averaging 81.2 points per game, led by four players averaging in double figures. Tynell Kocer (G, 5-9,?Sr.) leads the way, averaging 14.3 points and 3.0 rebounds. Nikki Washek (G, 5-6, Jr.) averages 12.2 points, shooting 44.4 percent from the outside. Coresa Leighty (F, 5-9, Sr.) averages 11.6 points and 5.4 rebounds. Steph?Roggenbuck (F, 5-10, So.) rounds out the double figures scorers, averaging 10.6 points and a team-high 7.1 rebounds. Point guard Jamie Rainey (G, 5-8,?Sr.) averages just 2.2 points, but leads the team with a 5.0 assists average and 25 steals. UMM won its most recent game against North Central by a score of 101-33.
Series Information
SMSU leads the all-time series 40-19 against UMM. The Mustangs have won 25 games and lost just six times when playing in Marshall. The two teams last met in 2004-05 when SMSU?won 79-42. Southwest has won the past 12 meetings between the two schools.
Beating the Best
SMSU?defeated No. 9 Delta State (Miss.) 66-51 on Oct. 31 at the Disney Classic. It was Southwest's first win over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 18 Northern State 53-48 on Feb. 2, 2007.
A Grand for Leidall
Sara Leidall reached the 1,000-point mark in SMSU's 107-45 win over Mayville State (N.D.) on Tuesday, Nov. 18, scoring 11 points in 14 minutes. She became the 16th player in school history to reach that milestone. She currently has 1,079 points (ranks 11th) and 505 rebounds (15th) 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 Friday, 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) 1,079 505
Regan French (2001-05) 1,018 633
Amy Boman (1998-02) 1,009 589
Get that Outta Here
Heidi Kimmes blocked 48 shots last season, the most for a Mustang women's basketball player since Chrishawn McArthur blocked 79 in 1996. The closest anyone has come to Kimmes' total in the past 12 seasons was Amy Boman, who blocked 45 shots in 2001-02.
Through 11 games this season, Kimmes ranks sixth in career blocked shots with 92. McArthur (1993-96) is the career leader at 183. Kimmes is currently tied for the team-lead with 11 blocked shots this year.
Sharp Shooters
Megan Wittkop, Abby Oakland, Sara Leidall Heidi Kimmes and Kady Telschow rank among SMSU's best all-time shooters. Wittkop is currently third in career free throw percentage and fourth in three-point percentage. Leidall also ranks in the top-10 in free throw percentage. Telschow is currently the career three-point percentage record holder at 45.9 percent (50-of-109). Oakland also ranks in the top-10 in three-point field goals attempted and made.
Field Goal Percentage (minimum 200 made)
.537 Amy Boman (403-751) 1998-02
.533 Steph Syltie (219-411) 1995-97
.497 Anne Pryor (299-602) 1978-82
.490 Shelly Honermann (350-715) 1997-01
.485 Lillie Brown (706-1456) 1992-96
.483 Shelli Schoeneck (512-1061) 1999-03
.481 Heidi Kimmes (208-432) 2005-
.477 Chrishawn McArthur (292-612) 1993-96
.472 Shannon Dunse (356-754) 1989-93
.469 Regan French (375-799) 2001-05
Free throw percentage (minimum 100 made)
.842 Mary Roddel (256-304) 2000-04
.833 Shannon Dunse (120-144) 1989-93
.813 Megan Wittkop (122-150) 2005-
.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
.770 Sara Leidall (164-213) 2004-
.760 Traci Robinson (193-254) 1988-90
.750 Erin Frye (345-460) 1997-01
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
114 Erin Frye (107 games) 1997-01
109 Andrea Schreier (111 games) 1997-01
104 Megan Wittkop (94 games) 2005-
84 Shelli Schoeneck (122 games) 1999-03
72 Darcy Peterka (101 games) 1988-92
68 Abby Oakland (95 games) 2005-
3-point field goals attempted
501 Michelle Bruns (119 games) 2001-05
454 Dani Coleman (110 games) 1996-00
447 Mary Roddel (121 games) 2000-04
392 Kelly Crimi (105 games) 2002-06
354 Erin Frye (107 games) 1997-01
276 Megan Wittkop (94 games) 2005-
255 Andrea Schreier (111 games) 1997-01
229 Darcy Peterka (101 games) 1988-92
222 Shelli Schoeneck (122 games) 1999-03
218 Abby Oakland (95 games) 2005-
3-point FG percentage (minimum 50 made)
.464 Kady Telschow (51-110) 2006-
.427 Andrea Schreier (109-255) 1997-01
.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
.377 Megan Wittkop (104-276) 2005-
.368 Sara Leidall (57-155) 2005-
.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 are the sixth and seventh in program's history.
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
Dishing it Out
Abby Oakland has crept into the top-10 in career assists at SMSU. She currently has 278 to rank 10th in school history. Kendra Waldemar (1993-97) is ninth with 286.
History of the Program
Southwest Minnesota State is in its 40th season of women's basketball and has played 968 games, compiling an all time record of 522-446 (updated through first 11 games this season). 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 Home and Away
The Mustangs are currently 3-1 in home games and 3-2 in games played at a neutral site. SMSU has not played an away game yet. The following is a breakdown of statistics for home, away and neutral site games this season:
SMSU's stats:
Home W-L FG% FT% REB PTS TO
SMSU 3-1 .386 .640 41.8 93.5 12.0
Opponents .316 .779 40.8 67.2 24.0
Away W-L FG% FT% REB PTS TO
SMSU 0-2 .306 .771 42.5 59.0 13.0
Opponents .407 .642 43.5 65.0 17.0
Neutral W-L FG% FT% REB PTS TO
SMSU 3-2 .390 .753 36.4 65.4 64.6
Opponents .393 .757 37.4 64.6 17.0
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 95-59.
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 3-1 0-1 3-0
Totals 98-60 57-38 41-22
SMSU?Late in the Game
The following is SMSU's offensive and defensive statistical averages in the final five minutes of its games during the 2008-09 season.
<5 min. FG% 3-FG% FT% REB PTS TO
SMSU .457 .208 .766 5.3 12.5 1.0
Opponents .459 .385 .667 5.4 10.9 2.4
In the Reserves
SMSU's bench has outscored its opponent's bench in eight of the first nine games so far this season. Tori Fink has been Southwest's top reserve, averaging 6.7 points off the bench. Taylor Voss is second, averaging 6.4 points. The following is a statistical comparison of SMSU's bench vs. its opponent's bench this season:
FG% 3pt% FT% PTS REB AST TO STL
SMSU .367 .293 .678 33.2 19.3 7.6 6.7 5.6
Opp. .339 .259 .676 16.3 15.5 2.4 6.3 2.2
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 Southwest from a Division I school. Smith transfered to SMSU?during the spring of 2008 from Liberty University (Va.).
Old Folks
The Mustangs begin the 2008-09 season with four seniors on their roster after graduating just one last season. Abby Oakland (76), Sara Leidall (71), Heidi Kimmes (30) and Megan Wittkop (29) enter their senior seasons with a combined 206 starts in their careers. Additionally, fourth-year junior Megan Stadler has started 22 games in her two seasons on the court. Stadler missed the 2006-07 season due to injury, but returned to start 13 games last winter.
Mustang Returners by the Numbers
SMSU returns 10 letterwinners, while losing just three. The Mustangs return 78.7 percent of their scoring and 80.4 percent of their rebounding from last season. Additionally, the returners shot 41.6 percent from the field. Players from last season's team that are not returning shot just 34.7 percent.
SMSU Picked 9th in Preseason Poll
The Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs women's basketball team has been 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
#21 Andrea Fennern: Averaging 6.9 minutes ... has played in eight of 11 games ... averaging 3.9 points and 1.0 rebounds, shooting 43.3 percent from the floor ... scored nine points against Chadron State (Neb.) on Nov. 15 and season-high 11 points with five rebounds in 11 minutes against Mayville State (N.D.) on Nov. 18.
#11 Tori Fink: Has started four of 11 games ... averaging 6.5 points ... second on the team with 27 assists (2.5 per game) ... averaging 6.7 points when coming off the bench and 6.0 points when starting ... has converted 69.6 percent (16-of-23) free throws after shooting just 46.5 percent from the line as a freshman ... scored season-high 15 points in overtime loss against Mary on Dec. 13 ... has a 1.50 assist-to-turnover ratio.
#5 Abby Kenealy: Has played in 10 of 11 games and is averaging 10.1 minutes off the bench ... averaging 5.0 points and 2.5 rebounds ... has blocked four shots ... scored career-high 16 points, hitting 8-of-9 free throws against Augustana on Nov. 29 ... shooting 69.6 percent from the line this season.
#4 Heidi Kimmes: Currently ranked seventh in career field goal percentage (.481) and sixth in blocked shots (92) ... has started seven of 11 games at center ... averaging 7.6 points in just 14.6 minutes per game ... second on the team in scoring ... tied for the team-lead with 11 blocked shots ... averaging 3.6 rebounds ... shooting team-best 55.7 percent from the field ... scored season-high 18 points in just 11 minutes against Mayville State (N.D.) on Nov. 18, hitting 9-of-10 shots ... has scored in double figures four times ... averaging 9.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in games she starts.
#45 Laura Kramer: Has played in all 11 games and has started the past four games ... averaging 20.2 minutes, 6.8 points and 5.4 rebounds ... leads the team in rebounding and tied for the team lead with 11 blocked shots ... shooting 55.0 percent from the field ... grabbed career-high 12 rebounds in start against Upper Iowa on Nov. 30 ... has scored nine points twice this season and scored a season-high 10 points against No. 17 Minnesota State, Mankato on Dec. 6 ... tied career-high with 12 points against Northern State on Dec. 12 ... had nine points and 11 rebounds against Mary on Dec. 13 ... averaging 8.8 points and 7.8 rebounds in games she has started.
#33 Sara Leidall: Ranks 12th in school history in scoring with 1,079 career points ... also ranks 11th in field goals made (429), 12th in field goals attempted (972), 11th in three-pointers made (57), ninth in three-point percentage (.368), eighth in free throw percentage (.770), 15th in rebounds (505) ... became the ninth player in school history to have both 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, leads the team in minutes per game (26.4), scoring (13.8) and is second in three-point percentage (.395) and free throw percentage (.875) ... shooting 45.0 percent from the field ... has scored 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 ... has scored in double figures in 10 games.
#34 Abby Oakland: Ranks 10th in school history in three-pointers made (68), 10th in three-point attempts (218), 15th in three-point percentage (.312) and 10th in assists (283) ... has started all 11 games this season ... second on the team in minutes per game (23.6) and third in rebounding (4.5), scoring (7.0 points per game) and assists (2.36 per game) ... leads the team in free throw percentage (.895) ... scored career-high 22 points, hitting 8-of-13 from the field in win over Mount Mercy (Iowa) on Nov. 22 ... has scored in double figures four times ... has hit just 1-of-14 3-point attempts in the past five games.
#25 Annie Smith: Has played in eight of 11 games, averaging 7.8 minutes, 2.9 points and 1.8 rebounds ... has connected on 4-of-10 three-point shots ... has blocked seven shots, ranking third 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.
#20 Heather Smith: Has played in 10 of 11 games, averaging 13.7 minutes off the bench ... averaging 4.4 points ... shooting 70.6 percent from the free throw line ... 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.) ... has gone 0-for-15 from the outside in seven games since Chadron State.
#3 Megan Stadler: Has started seven of 11 games, averaging 19.8 minutes (fourth on the team) ... also averaging 5.6 points ... leads the team in assists (3.09 per game) and third in steals with 12 ... averaging 6.7 points and 3.71 assists in games she starts ... leads the team in three-point percentage (.500) and is shooting 77.8 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 ... SMSU is 4-3 when Stadler is in the starting lineup.
#10 Aneshia Starks: Has started all 11 games this season, averaging 16.2 minutes, 4.9 points and 2.5 rebounds ... leads the team with 19 steals ... shooting 39.2 percent from the field ... did not start a game last season ... has been a defensive stopper this season, frequently guarding the opponent's top player ... 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 Mary on Dec. 13.
#42 Kady Telschow: Has played in 10 of 11 games ... averaging 7.2 minutes and 1.6 points ... scored season-highs four points and five rebounds against Mayville State (N.D.) on Nov. 18 ... 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.
#14 Trisha Van Dusseldorp: Redshirting.
#32 Taylor Voss: Has been in the regular rotation in all 11 games off the bench, averaging 15.1 minutes ... sixth in the team in scoring, averaging 6.4 points, while shooting 35.4 percent from the outside and leading the team in three-pointers made with 17 ... has forced 11 steals and blocked three shots ... scored career-high 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.
#24 Megan Wittkop: Ranks third in school history in free throw percentage (.813), seventh in three-pointers made (104), sixth in three-point attempts (276) and ninth in three-point percentage (.377) ... has played in 10 games as a reserve ... averaging 1.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 10.0 minutes per game.
