PREVIEWING THIS WEEK
•The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (3-1, 0-1 NSIC) takes a break from Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play with two games versus NCAA opponents in the state of Oregon this Friday and Saturday.
•SMSU will face Concordia University (Ore.) (1-5) on Friday, Nov. 29, in Portland, Ore., with tip-off set for at 6 p.m. (CST) at LCEF Court.
•On Saturday, Nov. 30, SMSU will take Western Oregon University (2-2) in Monmouth, Ore., at 4 p.m. (CST) inside the PE Building.
•Both Concordia and Western Oregon are members of the 11-team Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC). Concordia was picked to finish sixth, while Western Oregon was picked 10th in the preseason GNAC coaches' poll.

    BROADCAST INFO
•Live stats and video for both games can be found at SMSUmustangs.com.

    SERIES HISTORY VERSUS THIS WEEKEND'S OPPONENTS
•This is the first time in program history that SMSU will face either Concordia (Ore.) or Western Oregon.
•In fact, SMSU has only played two current members of the GNAC in program history. SMSU won at Alaska Fairbanks on Dec. 16, 2006, before losing at Alaska Anchorage on Dec. 17, 2006.

    SMSU QUICK HITS
•The 2019-20 season is the 51st of women's collegiate basketball at SMSU and has amassed 597 all-time victories.
•SMSU started the season 3-0 for the first time since the 2007-08 season. SMSU suffered its first loss of the season last Wednesday in its conference opener at NSIC South Division favorite, Sioux Falls, 100-77.
•Junior guard Meleah Reinhart is leading the Mustangs in scoring with 17.3 ppg and has made 18 of 19 from the free throw line.  She is also shooting a team-high 52 percent from the field.
•Senior forward Caleigh Rodning leads the team in rebounding with 8.3 rpg. Rodning ranks 12th in team history with 595 rebounds and is sixth in team history in rebound average (7.4).
•Sophomore guard Jenna Borchers has connected on a team-high 11 3-pointers.
•SMSU is averaging 74 ppg, while opponents are averaging 62 ppg.
•SMSU is shooting 37 percent from the field, 31 percent from the 3-point line, and 82 percent the free-throw line and has a plus-1.3 rebounding margin.

    MUSTANGS IN THE SMSU RECORD BOOK
•Three Mustangs rank among the top 15 in several SMSU career records located on page 4.   
•Senior Caleigh Rodning ranks third in free throws made with 371 and is 38 from tying Andrea Schreier (1997-2001) for the all-time record of 409. She also ranks third in free throw pct. (83.6) and eighth in free throws attempts (444). Rodning is also five rebounds shy of becoming the 11th in player in team history to record 600 rebounds.
•Junior Abuk Akoi is eighth in team history with 91 blocked shots.
•Junior Meleah Reinhart ranks seventh in free throw pct. (78.8).

    SMSU RECEIVE VOTES FOR D2SIDA REGIONAL POLL
•SMSU received votes in this week's D2SIDA Central Region poll released on Tuesday, Nov. 26.  
•SMSU was ranked eighth in the first regional poll released on Nov. 19.
•Each of the eight regions has six representatives from D2SIDA that coordinate the regional committee, with a regional poll that will be released every Tuesday during the regular season.
•The D2SIDA weekly rankings are independent of the official NCAA Regional Rankings that will be released towards the end of the regular season and determine the NCAA Tournament teams.

    SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB
•Tom Webb is in his fourth season as head coach with a 23-62 record, including 16-51 in NSIC play.
•SMSU finished 3-24 during his first season in 2016-17, before improving to 5-21 in 2017-18 and jumping to seven more victories last season and finishing 12-16 overall.
•Webb is 114-185 overall in his 12th season as head coach at the Division II level after compiling a record of 91-123 in eight seasons as head coach at Cameron University (Okla.)
•Webb recorded his 100th career Division II win against Wisconsin-Parkside (91-83) on Nov. 16, 2018.
•Webb's complete bio is found on page 16.

    MUSTANGS DROP NSIC OPENER AT SIOUX FALLS
•SMSU opened the NSIC season last Wednesday with a 100-75 road loss to Sioux Falls.
•Meleah Reinhart finished the night with a career-high 26 points, including 5-of-7 from the 3-point line.
•SMSU shot 41 percent from the field (28-of-69) and 32 percent (6-of-19) from the 3-point line.
•Jenna Borchers finished with 12 points, while Abuk Akoi chipped in with 10 points.  
•Caleigh Rodning led the Mustangs with 12 rebounds and added eight points.


    SCOUTING CONCORDIA (ORE.)
•Concordia is 1-5 on the season and will play its first home game of the season on Friday. CU split two games last weekend, defeating Regis (Colo.), 76-65, before losing to Colorado School of Mines, 69-57, on Saturday.  
•The Cavaliers finished 16-13 overall last season and tied for fifth in the GNAC at 11-9.
•Junior guard Olivia Vezaldenos had connected on 20 3-pointers and leads the team in scoring at 14.8 ppg.
•Freshman guard Dorcas Wu is averaging a team-high 5.5 rpg and ranks second on the team with 10 ppg.
•Sean Kelly is in his sixth season as head coach and holds a 61-86 record.
•CU is shooting 39 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 58 percent from the free throw line.
•CU is averaging 62 points per game, while opponents average 67 points per game.

    SCOUTING WESTERN OREGON
•Western Oregon are 2-2 on the season following a split last weekend, winning at Sonoma State (Calif.), 60-52, on Friday,  before losing to Chico State (Calif.) on Saturday, 50-46.  
•The Wolves finished the 2018-19 season 8-18 overall and tied for ninth in the GNAC at 5-15.
•Senior forward Shariah Green had connected on six 3-pointers and leads the team in scoring (11.5) and rebounding (5.5).
•Junior guard Keyonna Jones is averaging 9.8 ppg.
•Holli Howard-Carpenter is in her seventh season as head coach and holds a 47-118 record.
•WOU is shooting 36 percent from the field, 30 percent from 3-point range and 73 percent from the free throw line.
•WOU is averaging 59 points per game, while opponents average 56 points per game.

    NCAA RANKINGS
•In the latest Division II statistics (Nov. 25), SMSU ranks ninth in free-throw percentage, 21st in blocked shots per game and 46th in 3-point field goals per game.
•Meleah Reinhart ranks 19th in free throw pct.
•Jenna Borchers ranks 19th in 3-point field goal pct.
•Abuk Akoi ranks 28th in blocked shots per game.
•The latest 2019-20 NCAA statistics are located on page 17.

    NSIC RANKINGS
•In the NSIC statistics (all games), SMSU ranks second in free throw percentage, second in blocked shots.
•Meleah Reinhart ranks fifth in scoring, second in free throw pct. and eighth in field goal pct.
•Caleigh Rodning is fifth in rebounding and eighth in free throw pct.
•Jenna Borchers ranks first in 3-point field pct. and 12th in scoring.
•Abuk Akoi is tied for first in blocked shots.
•The latest 2019-20 NSIC statistics (all games) are located on pages 18-20.

    REINHART NAMED NSIC SOUTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
•SMSU junior Meleah Reinhart was named the NSIC South Division Player of the Week on Nov. 12. It's the first time in her career she has earned the award.
•Reinhart averaged 15 points and four rebounds in two victories during opening weekend on Nov. 8-9. She shot 44 percent from the field and was a perfect 14 of 14 from the free throw line. She scored 18 points on 5 of 7 shooting and 8 of 8 from the foul line in SMSU's win over Ouachita Baptist.

    ABUK AKOI NOTES
•Has started all four games this season and is averaging 7.0 ppg and 5.5 rpg.
•Leads the team with eight blocked shots.
•Scored season-high 12 points vs. Ouachita Baptist.
•Ranks eighth in team history with 89 blocked shots.
•Tied program single-game record with seven blocked shots vs. UMary (2/3/18).

    ERIN BAXTER NOTES
•Has started all four games this season and is averaging 4.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg.
•Scored a season-high nine points vs. Ouachita Baptist.
•Led the team in steals with 39 in 2018-19.
•Career-high five 3-pointers vs. William Jewell (11/17/18).
•Career-high 25 points at Concordia-St. Paul (1/19/18).

    TAYLOR BONESTROO NOTES
•Has played in two games and averages 1.5 ppg.
•Connected on a 3-pointer and had one rebounds vs. Presentation this season.
•Appeared in 15 games a season ago.

    JENNA BORCHERS NOTES
•Has started all four games this season.
•Averaging a team second-best 13.5 ppg.
•Season-high 18 points with four 3-pointers vs. East Central.
•Has made three or more 3-pointers in four games.
•Scored a career-high 21 points at Minnesota Duluth (2/27/19).
•Career-high five steals against UMC (2/1/19).

    EMILY BUYSSE NOTES
•Has played in three games and is averaging 2.0 ppg and 2.3 rpg.
•Made two 3-pointers vs. Presentation.
•Played in 26 games last season and averaged 2.3  ppg.
•Finished the 2018-19 season with 15 3-pointers.

    OLIVIA DRUMMER NOTES
•Has appeared in three games and is averaging 1.3 ppg and 0.3 rpg.
•Made a 3-pointer vs. Presentation.
•Sat out the 2018-19 season as a redshirt.

    MORGAN FRANK NOTES
•Has appeared in two games.
•Played in 15  games and averaged 1.5 ppg and 1.1 rpg last season.
•Scored a career-high seven points with six rebounds vs. North Central (11/20/18).

    MADISON GEHLOFF  NOTES
•One of two true freshmen playing this season.
•Has appeared in all four games this season and is averaging 2.5 ppg and 1.3 rpg.
•Has scored a season-high three points in two games.

    MATEYA HUTTON NOTES
•Has appeared in two games this season.
•Tied career-high with six rebounds vs. North Central (11/20/18).
•Tied her career-high seven points twice last season.
•Played in 24 games as a true freshman in 2017-18.

    MELEAH REINHART NOTES
•Has started all four games this season.
•Averaging a team-best 17.3 ppg and averaging 3.0 rpg.
•Has made 18-of-19 from the free throw line.
•Scored a career-high 26 points on 9 of 15 shooting at Sioux Falls (11/20/19).
•Ranks seventh in program history in free throw percentage at 78.8 percent.
•Recorded a career-high five assists and six steals against Minnesota State (1/12/19).
•Named All-NSIC second team in 2018-19.

    CALEIGH RODNING NOTES
•Named a 2019-20 NSIC "Player to Watch."
•Has started all four games and is averaging 8.0 ppg and 8.3 rpg.
•Became the 20th Mustang to reach 1,000 career points on Feb. 15, 2019.
•Named All-NSIC second team in 2018-19.
•Shot 86.8 percent from the free throw line in 2018-19 to rank second in team single-season history.

    LILY SCHOKNECHT NOTES
•Has appeared in all four games and is averaging 1.5 ppg and 1.6 rpg.
•Scored four points at Sioux Falls (11/20/19).
•Sat out the 2018-19 season as a redshirt.

    SADIE STELTER NOTES
•Has appeared in all four games and is averaging 6.8 ppg and 2.0 rpg.
•Scored season-high 10 points vs. Presentation with two 3-pointers.
•Started 27 games last season and led the team with 45 3-pointers.
•Ranked third on the team last season averaging 9.6 ppg.
    
    SARA TESKE NOTES
•Has appeared in all four games this season and is averaging 4.4 ppg and 5.5 rpg.
•Scored season-high seven points at Sioux Falls (11/20/19).
•Played in 28 games with 14 starts last season, while averaging 4.1 ppg and 4.3 rpg.
•Earned first double-double vs. Wisconsin-Parkside (11/16/18) with career-highs in both points (11) and rebounds (13).
•Career-high four steals vs. Minnesota State (12/7/18).

    SAM WALL NOTES
•One of two true freshmen playing this season.
•Has appeared in all four games and is averaging 5.0 ppg and 1.5 rpg.
•Career-high 14 points with four 3-pointers vs. Presentation.

    SMSU PICKED NINTH IN NSIC PRESEASON POLL
•SMSU was picked to finish ninth overall and sixth in the South Division in the 16-team NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
•MSU Moorhead was chosen as the North Division and overall favorite, while Sioux Falls was picked to win the South Division.

    RODNING: NSIC "PLAYER TO WATCH"
•For the second consecutive season, senior forward Caleigh Rodning, was named an NSIC "Player to Watch" entering into the 2019-20 season.
•Rodning started all games a season ago and led the team in scoring and rebounding with 13.5 ppg and 6.9 rpg.
•Rodning became the 20th player in Mustang history to reach 1,000 career points last season.

    A LOOK BACK AT SMSU IN 2018-19
•SMSU concluded the 2018-19 season with a 12-16 overall record and 9-13 in NSIC play.
•SMSU lost 87-57 at Minnesota Duluth in the first round of the NSIC Tournament.
•SMSU's 12 victories was the program's highest since the 2009-10 team finished with 15.
•SMSU finished the season shooting 39 percent from the field, 33 percent from 3-point range, 76 percent from the free throw line and was minus-0.3 in rebound margin.
•SMSU averaged 71 points per game, while opponents averaged 79 points per game.
•The 2018-19 squad set a team single-game record with 19 3-pointers made and most three-point attempts (34) in a victory over William Jewell.
•SMSU also earned a three-game winning streak from Nov. 16-20 and once again from Jan. 26-Feb. 2, for the program's first three-game winning streak since the 2011-12 season.

    RODNING AND REINHART EARN ALL-NSIC IN 2018-19
•Senior Caleigh Rodning and junior Meleah Reinhart were both named second team All-NSIC last season.
•Rodning averaged a team-high 13.5 points per game and also led the squad with 6.9 rebounds per game. She finished the season shooting 39.3 percent (117 of 298) from the field and 85 percent (110 of 129) from the free throw line.
•In NSIC play, Rodning ranked eighth in the league in free throw pct. (82.6), 15th in rebounding (6.4) and 18th in scoring (12.3).
•Reinhart averaged a team second-best 11.7 points per game last season. She finished the season shooting 42 percent (108 of 259) from the field, 42 percent from the 3-point line (43 of 102), and 82 percent from the free throw line (68 of 84).
•In NSIC play, Reinhart ranked ninth in free throw pct (81.9), ninth in 3-point pct. (41.0), and 22nd in scoring (11.8).

    HOME AND AWAY    
•SMSU is 1-0 at home in 2019-20 after finishing 9-5 last season.
•SMSU is 2-1 in road/neutral site games this season after finishing 3-11 in away/neutral games last season.
•The following is a statistical comparison of the Mustang team averages for home and away/neutral games in 2019-20:
        W-L    FG%    3-FG%    FT%    REB    PTS    TO        
Home    1-0    38.4    38.5    76.5    44.0    84.0    14        
Away    2-1     36.5    26.5    83.1    39.0    70.3    46          


    
    HOME SWEET HOME
•The 2019-20 season marks the 24th year the R/A Facility has served as the home arena for SMSU women's basketball.
•SMSU has a record of 149-152 overall record, including 92-121 in NSIC play.

SMSU in the R/A Facility
    Year    Overall    NSIC    Non
    1996-97    6-5     2-3     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     4-8     2-7     2-1
    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     5-9     2-7     3-2    
    2008-09     9-6     4-6     5-0    
    2009-10     10-5     6-4     4-1
    2010-11     6-7     5-6     1-1    
     2011-12    3-9     3-8     0-1    
     2012-13     2-10     1-10     1-0
    2013-14    3-9    2-9    1-0        
    2014-15     3-11     3-8     0-3
     2015-16    3-12     2-9     1-3
     2016-17    0-11     0-11     0-0
     2017-18    4-8     3-8     1-0
    2018-19    9-5    6-5    3-0
    2019-20    1-0    0-0    1-0        
    Totals:     149-152     92-121     66-31

    SMSU ALL-TIME IN THE NSIC
•The 2019-20 campaign marks the 41st season SMSU has competed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
•SMSU has an all-time record of 238-385 in conference games and have won four regular season championships (1979-80, 1980-81, 2000-01, 2001-02) and one NSIC Tournament championship (2002).

    MUSTANG HISTORY
•Southwest Minnesota State is competing in its 51st season of women's basketball in 2019-20.
•SMSU has played 1,263 games compiling an all-time record of 597-666.
•SMSU has recorded 26 winning seasons, but has not had  a winning season since the 2009-10 team finished 15-12.