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MARSHALL, MINN. - The Southwest Minnesota State (10-7, 2-5 NSIC) women's basketball team travels to St. Cloud State (13-1, 6-1 NSIC) and Concordia University, St. Paul (12-5, 4-3 NSIC) this weekend for a pair of conference contest.  The Mustangs will square off with the Huskies Friday at 6 p.m.  and the Golden Bears Saturday at 4 p.m.


About SMSU
The Mustangs enter this weekend's match-ups with a 10-7 record and 2-5 mark in the NSIC--good for 12th place in the conference.  Sara Leidall is SMSU's leading scorer, averaging 13.1 points per game; Tori Fink follows with 8.0 points per outing

Laura Kramer has been the presence on the glass for the Mustangs as the junior is snagging 5.6 boards a game.   Megan Stadler is the leader in assists as she has dished out 64 this season.

Last Week's Recap
Winona State 68, SMSU 62
Winona State's Ana Wurtz drained a three-pointer with 1:31 remaining to snap a 61-61 tie and lift her team to a 68-62 conference victory over Southwest Minnesota State Friday night in Marshall.

The Wildcats were a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line in the final 16 seconds and shot 45.1 percent from the field.

Laura Kramer led all Mustangs with a career-high 15 points; Sara Leidall finished with 13, and Tori Fink added another 10.

Neither team took control in the first half until the Mustangs finally mustered a seven-point lead at 22-15 at 6:29--a run sparked by a Taylor Voss layup and a pair of Megan Stadler buckets.  The Warriors managed to get within four at the break.

With another seven-point lead firmly in possession, WSU chipped away, taking a 50-49 lead courtesy of a three-pointer by Jenny Steffen.

After taking another lead, the Mustangs again relinquished the lead when Stadler fouled Gigler, who drained a pair of free throws.  The Warriors would not trail again.

SMSU managed to tie the game at 61-61 with a layup by  Kramer, but Wurtz nailed a triple to take the definitive lead.  WSU then canned four free throws down the stretch.

SMSU 71, Upper Iowa 60
Laura Kramer scored 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Southwest Minnesota State women's basketball team to a 71-60 conference victory over Upper Iowa Saturday night in Marshall.

Kramer's performance was her first career double-double.  She also tacked on four steals to her stellar play.  Sara Lediall led all Mustangs with 16 points.  Abby Oakland added another 10.

Megan Stadler dished out a season-high eight assists for SMSU.

After UIU opened the game on a 10-2 run, the Mustangs put together a 10-0 for themselves.  The spurt was capped by a Leidall three-pointer that gave the Mustangs a two-point lead at 12-10.  Nursing a small lead for five minutes, the Mustangs finally got their offense going and took a 13-point lead with two minutes left in the half.

The host Mustangs led by as many 18 points in the second half.  UIU did manage to get within eight points with five minutes remaining in the game, but SMSU sank four free throws in the final 1:15.

Opponent Information
St. Cloud State:  The Huskies enter this weekend's match-ups sporting an 13-1 mark (6-1 NSIC) and in second place in the conference.  SCSU boats two of the NSIC's top scorers in guards Talisha Barlow and Katie Tacheny.  The duo is an offensive one-two punch as Barlow leads the conference in scoring with 18.6 points per game, while Tacheny is a close second with 18.0 points a night.  Tacheny is also the Huskies' leader in assists, dishing out a team-high 3.2 per outing.  Sophomore post Rachel Booth is SCSU's leader on the  boards, pulling down 5.2 rebounds per game.

The Huskies are coached by Lori Fish (first season, 13-1).  Fish has created a high-powered offense that is averaging a conference-best 75.4 points per game.

Concordia:  The Golden Bears sit at 12-5 (4-3 NSIC) and tied for fifth place in the NSIC.  CU has a trio of players scoring double-digits as senior forward Candace Olstad, junior guard Jamie Jones and sophomore guard Zoraa Quoie all are averaging at least 12 points per game.  Jones is the conference's third-leading scorer with 17.4 points per game and is also the team's leader in assists with 4.2 per game.  Junior center Gillian Bjerke averages 8.0 boards per night, a statistic good for fifth in the NSIC.

The Golden Bears are coached by Paul Fessler (ninth season, 202-71).

Series Information
The Huskies lead the series with the Mustangs 26-13, and this will be Mike Jewett's first meeting with SCSU.  The Golden Bears lead the series with the Mustangs 19-15.  Jewett is 0-6 against CU.

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 1,136 points (ranks 10th) and 521 rebounds (14th) 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)    1,136    521
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 is second in career free-throw percentage and also ranks in the top-10 in three-point field goals attempted and made.

Free throw percentage (minimum 100 made)
.842    Mary Roddel (256-304)    2000-04
.842    Abby Oakland (101-120)    2005-09
.833    Shannon Dunse (120-144)    1989-93
.813    Megan Wittkop (122-150)    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
.770    Sara Leidall (167-217)    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
114    Erin Frye (107 games)    1997-01
109    Andrea Schreier (111 games)    1997-01
107    Megan Wittkop (97 games)    2005-09
84    Shelli Schoeneck (122 games)    1999-03
75    Abby Oakland (101 games)    2005-09
72    Darcy Peterka (101 games)    1988-92

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)    2005-09
255    Andrea Schreier (111 games)    1997-01
237    Abby Oakland (100 games)    2005-09
229    Darcy Peterka (101 games)    1988-92
222    Shelli Schoeneck (122 games)    1999-03

3-point FG percentage (minimum 50 made)
.464    Kady Telschow (51-110)    2006-09
.427    Andrea Schreier (109-255)    1997-01
.390    Dani Coleman (177-454)    1996-00
.379    Michelle Bruns (190-501)    2001-05
.379    Megan Wittkop (106-280)    2005-09
.379    Haneefah McNair (55-145)    1993-96
.378    Shelli Schoeneck (84-222)    1999-03
.378    Mary Roddel (169-447)    2000-04
.376    Sara Leidall (65-173)    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 has crept into the top-10 in career assists at SMSU.  She currently has 297 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 974 games, compiling an all time record of 535-448 (updated through first 18 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 7-3 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    7-3    .437    .665    40.6    82.3    12.7
Opponents        .385    .665    38.3    64.2    21.1

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 101-61.

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    7-3    2-3    5-0
Totals    101-61    59-38    43-22
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    .456    .263    .774    5.0    11.7    0.9
Opponents    .725    .361    .774    4.7    10.2    2.1

In the Reserves
SMSU's bench has outscored its opponent's bench by  an average of 17 points this season.  Taylor Voss has been SMSU's top reserve, averaging 6.9 points off the bench.  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    .391    .332    .656    31.9    19.6    7.0    6.1    5.0
Opp.    .331    .258    .686    16.2    14.3    2.5    6.2    2.3

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 7.0 minutes ... has played in 11 of 17 games ... averaging 3.8 points and 1.1 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 10 of 17 games ... averaging 8.0 points ...  second on the team with 42 assists (2.5 per game) ... has converted 64.3 percent (27-of-42) 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 ... put up 11 points in victory over No. 11 MSU Moorhead on Jan. 2 ... has a 1.61 assist-to-turnover ratio.

#5 Abby Kenealy: Has played in 16 of 17 games and is averaging 11.8 minutes off the bench ... averaging 4.9 points and 2.9 rebounds ... has blocked six 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 ... shooting 72.4 percent from the line this season.

#45 Laura Kramer: Has played in all 17 games, starting the last 10 ... averaging 21.1 minutes, 7.7 points and 5.6 rebounds ... leads the team in rebounding and blocked shots with 20 ... shooting 51.4 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 ... tied career-high with 12 points against Northern State on Dec. 12 ... 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.

#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, leads the team in minutes per game (25.0), scoring (13.1) ... shooting 44.3 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 ... scored 10 points in SMSU's upset of No. 11 MSU Moorhead on Jan. 2 ... dropped 16 points on Uper Iowa on Jan. 10.

#34 Abby Oakland:  Has started 14 of 17 games this season ... second on the team in minutes per game (24.4), second in rebounding (4.5) and fifth in scoring (6.8 points per game)... first on the team in free throw percentage (.889) ... 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 dished out 40 assists.

#25 Annie Smith: Has played in 14 of 17 games, averaging 10.6 minutes, 3.9 points and 2.6 rebounds ... has connected on 10-of-23 three-point shots ... has blocked 12 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.

#20 Heather Smith: Has played in 16 of 17 games, averaging 12.2 minutes off the bench ... averaging 4.3 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.

#3 Megan Stadler: Has started 13 of 17 games, averaging 22.1 minutes  ... also averaging 6.5 points ... leads the team in assists (3.8 per game) and third in steals with 19 ... first on the team in three-point percentage (.500) and is shooting 84.4 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.

#10 Aneshia Starks: Has started 14 of 17 games this season, averaging 15.4 minutes, 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds ... leads the team with 31 steals ... shooting 35.5 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 17 games, starting one ... averaging 16.1 minutes ... fourth in the team in scoring, averaging 7.1 points, while shooting 37.0 percent from the outside and leading the team in three-pointers made with 27 ... has forced 15 steals and blocked six 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 (.813), seventh in three-pointers made (106), sixth in three-point attempts (280) and sixth in three-point percentage (.379) ... has played in 13 games as a reserve ... averaging 1.4 points and 2.1 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per game.