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MARSHALL, MINN. - The Southwest Minnesota State (8-5, 0-3 NSIC) women's basketball team will host No. 11 Minnesota State Moorhead (11-0, 4-0 NSIC) on Friday and Minnesota, Crookston (6-4, 2-2 NSIC) on Saturday in a pair of conference games.  Both contests are 6 p.m. tip-offs.

Last Week's Recap
SMSU 79, Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) 52
MARSHALL, MINN. - The Southwest Minnesota State women's basketball team grabbed a season-high 57 rebounds to march past Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) and post a 79-52 victory over the Wolves Monday afternoon in Marshall.

Tori Fink and Taylor Voss provided the offensive burst for the host Mustangs as they scored 15 and 14 points, respectively.  Voss' output was a career high; Fink, whose 15 points came via three-of-five shooting from behind the arc, also snagged a career-high eight rebounds and dished out five assists on the afternoon.

Laura Kramer also clipped the double-digit mark in points, adding 10 to go along with her eight rebounds.

SMSU mounted a 9-0 run sparked by a Voss three-pointer eight minutes into the first half, and the Mustangs managed to stretch that lead to 13.  SMSU sported a 10-point advantage heading into the locker room.

The Wolves, however, cut the Mustang lead to seven on two occasions early in the second half.  That was as close as they would get; SMSU assembled a 10-1 run in the closing five minutes and took its decisive 27-point lead off an Andrea Fennern three-point play in the last 60 seconds.

SMSU's dominance on the glass proved to be the difference maker as the Mustangs converted 25 points on second-chance opportunities.

Opponent Information
MSU Moorhead: The Dragons enter Friday evening's match-up as the NSIC's top team, sporting an unbeaten 11-0 overall record and 4-0 mark in the conference.  Ranked No. 11 in the latest national poll, MSUM is led by 6-foot-1 junior forward Alison Nash-Gerlach.  Gerlach is averaging 13.7 points per contest to go along with 5.5 rebounds.  Gerlach is joined in the frontcourt by 6-foot-3 junior center Meghan Rettke.  Rettke is also putting up solid numbers, averaging 11.7 points a game and team-leading 9.2 boards.  Junior guard Krista Opheim quarterbacks the Dragon offense from her point guard position and is averaging 6.4 assists and 9.2 points per outing.

MSU Moorhead is coached by Karla Nelson.  In her ninth season as the leader of the Dragons, Nelson has compiled a 133-81 record.

Minnesota, Crookston:  A pair of sophomores lead the attack for the Golden Eagles, who enter the weekend with a 6-4 record (2-2 NSIC).  Guard Jamie Zelinsky is averaging 16.6 points a game to go along with her 4.5 rebounds.  She has also dished out a team-high 32 assists this season.  Bri Zabel is part two of the sophomore duo, and the 6-foot forward has also been strong in the scoring column, notching 15.4 points a contest to compliment 6.9 rebounds.

The Golden Eagles are lead by third-year head coach Mike Roysland.  He has a 12-52 career record at UMC.

Series Information
SMSU leads the series against both of this weekend's opponents.  SMSU has won 35 of the last 69 meetings with MSUM; head coach Mike Jewett is 1-3 against the Dragons.

The Mustangs lead the series with the Golden Eagles 17-3.  Jewett is 3-1 against UMC.

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)    1,089    509
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 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
.482    Heidi Kimmes (211-438)    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
105    Megan Wittkop (94 games)    2005-
84    Shelli Schoeneck (122 games)    1999-03
72    Darcy Peterka (101 games)    1988-92
70    Abby Oakland (97 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
278    Megan Wittkop (96 games)    2005-
255    Andrea Schreier (111 games)    1997-01
229    Darcy Peterka (101 games)    1988-92
228    Abby Oakland (97 games)    2005-
222    Shelli Schoeneck (122 games)    1999-03


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    Megan Wittkop (105-277)    2005-
.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
.376    Sara Leidall (59-157)    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 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 has crept into the top-10 in career assists at SMSU.  She currently has 292 to rank ninth in school history. 


History of the Program
Southwest Minnesota State is in its 40th season of women's basketball and has played 970 games, compiling an all time record of 524-446 (updated through first 13 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 5-1 in home games, 0-2 in away games and 3-2 in games played at a neutral site.  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    5-1    .463    .639    45.2    93.0    14.0
Opponents        .363    .757    38.8    63.8    24.3

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 98-59.

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    5-1    0-1    4-0
Totals    99-59    57-38    42-22

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    .459    .207    .757    5.5    12.4    1.0
Opponents    .438    .379    .685    5.1    10.2    2.5

In the Reserves
SMSU's bench has outscored its opponent's bench by  an average of 19 points this season.  Taylor Voss has been SMSU's top reserve, averaging 7.0 points off the bench.  Tori Fink is second when she comes off the bench, adding 6.7 points per contest.  The following is a statistical comparison of SMSU's bench versus its opponent's bench this season:
    FG%    3pt%    FT%    PTS    REB    AST    TO    STL
SMSU    .394    .331    .677    35.6    20.6    7.9    7.0    6.0
Opp.    .330    .271    .674    16.8    15.5    2.6    6.8    2.4

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.).

Old Folks
The Mustangs begin the 2008-09 season with three seniors on their roster after graduating just one last season.  Abby Oakland (76), Sara Leidall (71) and Megan Wittkop (29) enter their senior seasons with a combined 176 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.

SMSU Picked Ninth 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 7.5 minutes ... has played in 10 of 13 games ... averaging 4.2 points and 1.2 rebounds, shooting 44.4 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 six of 13 games ... averaging 7.5 points ... second on the team with 35 assists (2.7 per game) ...  averaging 6.7 points when coming off the bench and 8.2 points when starting ... has converted 63.0 percent (17-of-27) 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 ... scored season-high 15 points, grabbed career-high eight rebounds and dished out five assists in victory of Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) on Dec. 29 ... has a 1.67 assist-to-turnover ratio.

#5 Abby Kenealy: Has played in 12 of 13 games and is averaging 10.8 minutes off the bench ... averaging 5.0 points and 2.8 rebounds ... has blocked five shots ... scored career-high 16 points, hitting 8-of-9 free throws against Augustana on Nov. 29 ... shooting 72.0 percent from the line this season.

#45 Laura Kramer: Has played in all 13 games and has started the past six games ... averaging 19.6 minutes, 7.0 points and 5.3 rebounds ... leads the team in rebounding and blocked shots with 14 ... shooting 53.3 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 and against Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) on Dec. 29 ... tied career-high with 12 points against Northern State on Dec. 12 ... had nine points and 11 rebounds against Mary on Dec. 13 ... averaging 7.1 points and 6.8 rebounds in games she has started.

#33 Sara Leidall: Ranks 11th in school history in scoring with 1,089 career points ... also ranks 11th in field goals made (433), 12th in field goals attempted (979), 11th in three-pointers made (59), ninth in three-point percentage (.376), eighth in free throw percentage (.770) and 14th in rebounds (509) ... 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 (25.2), scoring (13.5) and is second in three-point percentage (.425) and free throw percentage (.875) ... shooting 45.6 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 11 games.

#34 Abby Oakland: Ranks 10th in school history in three-pointers made (70), ninth in three-point attempts (228), 15th in three-point percentage (.307) and ninth in assists (292) ... has started 12 of 13 games this season ... second on the team in minutes per game (23.4) and third in rebounding (4.5), second in assists  (2.7) and fifth in scoring (6.9 points per game)... second on the team in free throw percentage (.870) ... 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.

#25 Annie Smith: Has played in 10 of 13 games, averaging 10.0 minutes, 4.2 points and 2.8 rebounds ... has connected on 7-of-16 three-point shots ... has blocked eight 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 ... scored career-high 12 points against Minnesota-Morris on Dec. 19 ... had seven points and eight rebounds against Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) on Dec. 29.

#20 Heather Smith: Has played in 12 of 13 games, averaging 13.6 minutes off the bench ... averaging 5.4 points ... shooting 684 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.) ... scored 13 points on 3-of-5 shooting from behind the arc against Minnesota-Morris on Dec. 19.

#3 Megan Stadler: Has started nine of 13 games, averaging 20.6 minutes (third on the team) ... also averaging 5.5 points ... leads the team in assists (3.5 per game) and third in steals with 15 ... second on the team in three-point percentage (.529) and is shooting 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 ... SMSU is 6-3 when Stadler is in the starting lineup.

#10 Aneshia Starks: Has started 12 of 13 games this season, averaging 16.4 minutes, 4.7 points and 2.5 rebounds ... leads the team with 26 steals ... shooting 33.8 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 Minnesota-Morris on Dec. 19.

#42 Kady Telschow: Has played in 12 of 13 games ... averaging 7.1 minutes and 1.8 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 played in all 13 games, starting one ... averaging 15.5 minutes ... fourth in the team in scoring, averaging 7.3 points, while shooting 39.0 percent from the outside and leading the team in three-pointers made with 23 ... has forced 12 steals and blocked five 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 third in school history in free throw percentage (.813), seventh in three-pointers made (105), sixth in three-point attempts (278) and ninth in three-point percentage (.379) ... has played in 12 games as a reserve ... averaging 1.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 9.5 minutes per game.