Complete Release (PDF)

MARSHALL, MINN. - The Southwest Minnesota State (9-6, 1-4 NSIC) women's basketball team will host Winona State on Friday and Upper Iowa on Saturday in a pair of conference games.  Both contests are 6 p.m. tip-offs.

About SMSU
The Mustangs enter this weekend's match-ups with a 9-6 record and 1-4 mark in the NSIC--good for 12th place in the conference.  Sara Leidall is SMSU's leading scorer, averaging 12.9 points per game; Tori Fink has come on strong in the last three games and is now the squad's second leading scorer with 8.0 points per outing. 

Laura Kramer has been the presence on the glass for the Mustangs as the junior is snagging just over five boards a game.   Megan Stadler is the leader in assists as she has dished out 52 this season.

Last Week's Recap
SMSU 59, No. 11 MSU Moorhead 55
Megan Stadler nailed a pair of go-ahead free throws with 18 seconds remaining to lift the Southwest Minnesota State women's basketball team to a 59-55 conference victory over 11th-ranked Minnesota State Moorhead Friday night in Marshall.  It was SMSU's second win over a nationally ranked opponent this season and MSUM's first loss of the season.

Stadler was part of a three-way offensive attack for the Mustangs as the junior compiled 11 points, a performance capped by her game-clinching shots from the line.

Part two and three came courtesy of Tori Fink and Sara Leidall, who were also in double digits with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Mustangs opened the game neck and neck with unbeaten and first-place NSIC squad. SMSU put together a 9-0 run before heading to the locker room sporting a 10-point advantage.

That momentum carried over to after the break as the Mustangs appeared have control of the contest early in the second half, compiling a 15-point lead five minutes into the second half.  But the nationally ranked Dragons closed the deficit to 53-53 with two minutes remaining.

Stadler then nailed the two go-ahead  free throws followed by another two to seal the victory.

Minnesota, Crookston 76, SMSU 73
Minnesota, Crookston's Bri Zabel converted a three-point play with 13 seconds remaining to give the Golden Eagles the go-ahead basket and help her team to a 76-73 conference victory over Southwest Minnesota State Saturday night in Marshall.

Megan Stadler led all Mustangs with 15 points on the evening; the junior was 5-of-8 from behind the arc and dished out a team-high five assists.  Abby Kenealy and Tori Fink added 10 and 11 points, respectively.
The Golden Eagles took control in the first half, posting a 10-point lead midway through the first half.  That lead only extended as UMC held an 18-point advantage at the break.

That lead got larger, too, but the Mustangs rallied from a 24-point second-half deficit to take a one-point lead via a Fink trey  with 3:15 remaining.

UMC would regain the lead with 1:10 left on the clock, but an Oakland three-pointer for SMSU gave the host team a another one-point lead at 72-71.  Megan Stadler sank a free throw for SMSU to put the Mustangs up by two, but Zabel then drove the baseline and converted her three-point play.

On the ensuing possession, SMSU's Sara Leidall was blocked by UMC's GIna Jaroszewski.  The Mustangs were forced to foul, and Ana Garcia drained two free throws to seal the victory for the Golden Eagles.

Opponent Information
Winona State: The Wildcats enter Friday evening's match-up with a 10-3 record (3-3 NSIC) and tied for seventh place in the conference.  The Warriors sport three players putting up double digits in points.  Junior guard Ana Wurtz is averaging 19.2 points per outing, while sophomore forward/center Natalie Gigler and senior guard Jenny Steffen are averaging 14.1 and 12.4 points per game, respectively.  Gigler is also the team's leading rebounder, grabbing 6.0 per game.  Senior guard/forward Molly Anderson is the Warriors' leader in the assists  column, averaging 5.1 per contest.

WSU is coached by Scott Ballard.  In his fifth season as the leader of the Warriors, Ballard has compiled a 59-67 record.

Upper Iowa:  The Peacocks enter the weekend holding a 5-8 record (1-5 NSIC) and in 13th place in the NSIC.  This will be the second meeting this season between the two teams, and SMSU won the initial battle 74-61 at the Hoopsfest Classic in Sioux Falls, S.D., in November.  Balance is the key word when describing UIU's offensive attack.  Four players average at least 10.0 points per game for the Peacocks.  Senior guard Andrea Downs is the team's leading scorer, averaging 16.3 points per game.  Senior guardBritney Iredale puts up 13.8 points a contest, while freshman guard Melissa Fitz and junior guard/forward Lene Fox contribute 10.5 and 10.0 a night, respectively.  Iredale is also the Peacocks' leading rebounder, checking with 7.4 per game.

The Peacocks are lead by first-year head coach Mike Brown.  He has a 5-8 career record at UIU.

Series Information
SMSU leads the series against both of this weekend's opponents.  SMSU has won 42 of the last 63 meetings with WSU; head coach Mike Jewett is 0-4 against the Warriors.

The Mustangs lead the series with the Peacocks 4-2.  Jewett is 3-2 against UIU.

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)    1,107    512
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.

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
.767    Sara Leidall (164-215)    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 (96 games)    2005-
84    Shelli Schoeneck (122 games)    1999-03
73    Abby Oakland (99 games)    2005-
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-
255    Andrea Schreier (111 games)    1997-01
235    Abby Oakland (99 games)    2005-
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-
.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
.378    Sara Leidall (62-164)    2005-
.378    Megan Wittkop (105-278)    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 295 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 972 games, compiling an all time record of 525-447 (updated through first 15 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 6-2 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    6-2    .446    .656    41.9    86.2    13.5
Opponents        .370    .797    39-5    64.2    23.3

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 100-60.

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    6-2    0-1    4-0
Totals    100-60    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    .460    .294    .769    5.0    12.3    0.9
Opponents    .458    .367    .721    4.9    10.2    2.4

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 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    .392    .324    .660    34.0    20.3    7.4    6.5    5.5
Opp.    .335    .258    .685    16.9    15.5    2.6    6.5    2.5

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 14 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 eight of 15 games ... averaging 8.0 points ...  second on the team with 39 assists (2.6 per game) ...  averaging 6.7 points when coming off the bench and 9.1 points when starting ... has converted 66.7 percent (24-of-36) 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 1.71 assist-to-turnover ratio.

#5 Abby Kenealy: Has played in 14 of 15 games and is averaging 12.4 minutes off the bench ... averaging 5.5 points and 3.1 rebounds ... has blocked five 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 15 games and has started the past eight games ... averaging 19.9 minutes, 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds ... leads the team in rebounding and blocked shots with 17 ... shooting 51.1 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 8.0 points and 6.1 rebounds in games she has started.

#33 Sara Leidall: Ranks 11th in school history in scoring with 1,107 career points ... also ranks 11th in field goals made (440), 11th in field goals attempted (1000), 11th in three-pointers made (62), eighth in three-point percentage (.378), eighth in free throw percentage (.767) and 14th in rebounds (512) ... 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 ... scored 10 points in SMSU's upset of No. 11 MSU Moorhead on Jan. 2 ... has scored in double figures in 12 games.

#34 Abby Oakland: Ranks ninth in school history in three-pointers made (73), eighth in three-point attempts (235), 15th in three-point percentage (.311) and ninth in assists (295) ... has started 12 of 15 games this season ... second on the team in minutes per game (23.8), second in rebounding (4.6), third in assists  (2.5) and sixth in scoring (6.7 points per game)... first 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 12 of 15 games, averaging 11.1 minutes, 3.9 points and 2.8 rebounds ... has connected on 8-of-20 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 14 of 15 games, averaging 12.9 minutes off the bench ... averaging 4.7 points ... shooting 66.7 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 11 of 15 games, averaging 20.9 minutes (third on the team) ... also averaging 6.5 points ... leads the team in assists (3.5 per game) and third in steals with 18 ... second on the team in three-point percentage (.522) and is shooting 83.3 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 ... SMSU is 7-4 when Stadler is in the starting lineup.

#10 Aneshia Starks: Has started 14 of 15 games this season, averaging 16.3 minutes, 4.5 points and 2.5 rebounds ... leads the team with 30 steals ... shooting 34.2 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 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 15 games, starting one ... averaging 15.7 minutes ... third in the team in scoring, averaging 7.2 points, while shooting 41.1 percent from the outside and leading the team in three-pointers made with 25 ... has forced 14 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.