PREVIEWING THIS WEEK
•The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (12-15) gets set for the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament on Wednesday night at Minnesota Duluth (19-6) with tip-off at 5:30 p.m.
•SMSU is the seventh seed in the South while Minnesota Duluth is the second seed in the North. 
•UMD also ranks fifth in latest regional rankings from Feb. 20, 2019. 
•If SMSU wins on Wednesday, it would advance to the tournament quarterfinals on Saturday, March 2. The quarter finals continue on Sunday with semifinals on Monday, March 4, and the championship on Tuesday, March 5. 
•The complete NSIC/Sanford Tournament bracket is on page 17.

    SMSU QUICK HITS
•SMSU is looking for its first victory in the NSIC Tournament since beating Wayne State in the quarterfinals of the 2003 tournament.  
•SMSU has lost 12 straight NSIC Tournament games.
•Caleigh Rodning became the 20th Mustang to enter the 1,000-point club on Feb. 15  versus Upper Iowa.
•SMSU's nine home victories this season is its highest total since winning 10 during the 2009-10 season. 

    BROADCAST INFO 
•Wednesday's game will be broadcast on 105.1 FM KARL
•Live stats and video can be found at SMSUmustangs.com.
 
    SERIES HISTORY VS. MINNESOTA DULUTH
•UMD leads the all-time series 57-18, which dates back to the 1976-77 season.
•UMD holds a 29-6 advantage in games played in Duluth. 
•UMD has won the last three games and eight of the last 10. 
•The Mustangs last victory was on Jan. 30, 2016, 87-75 in  Duluth. 
•The last meeting was a 60-39 Bulldog victory in Duluth on Dec. 15, 2018.
•Game-by-game results on page on page 15.
•Last meeting results on page 16.

    ABOUT SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE 
•Junior forward Caleigh Rodning is averaging a team-high 13.9 ppg and a team-high 7.0  rpg.
•Sophomore guard Meleah Reinhart is averaging a team second-best 11.9 ppg. Reinhart has led the team in scoring  in 10 games. 
•Sophomore guard Sadie Stelter averages 9.7 ppg with team-high 43 3-pointers.
•Sophomore guard Erin Baxter also averages 9.7 ppg. 
•SMSU is shooting 39 percent from the field, 33 percent from the 3-point line, 77 percent from the free throw line and is minus-0.5 rebound margin. 
•SMSU is averaging 71.2 points per game, while opponents are averaging 70. 

    SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB
•Tom Webb is in his third season as head coach with a 20-60 record, including 16-50 in NSIC play. 
•SMSU finished 3-24 during his first season in 2016-17, before improving to 5-21 in 2017-18. 
•Webb is 112-183 overall in his 11th 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 win against Wisconsin-Parkside (91-83) on Nov. 16, 2018.
•Webb's complete bio is found on page 14.

    SMSU SETS TEAM-RECORD 19 3-POINTERS 
•In SMSU's victory over William Jewell (Mo.) on Nov. 17,  the Mustangs set a single-game record of 19 3-pointers made and also a school record for most three-point attempts (34) in a game. 
•The previous record was 15 made against Minnesota-Morris on Dec. 19, 2008.
•SMSU made 11 3-pointers in the first half, eight of which came in the second quarter. 

     THREE CONSECUTIVE WINS
•SMSU's three-game winning streak earlier this season was the program's first since the 2011-12 season. 
•SMSU earned its first back-to-back wins since the 2015-16 season after defeating Wisconsin-Parkside and William Jewell (Mo.) at the Ramada Classic on Nov. 16-17.
•SMSU earned another three-game winning streak with a Victory over BSU on Feb. 2. 

    TWELVE SEASON VICTORIES
•SMSU has 12 victories this season which is its highest total since the 2009-10 team who won 15 games. 

    90-POINT GAMES
•The Mustangs scored 90 of more points in three straight victories earlier this season.
•The last time SMSU scored 90 or more points in three consecutive games was in November 2008 with a 111-75 victory over Chadron State (Neb.), 107-45 victory over Mayville State (ND), and a 93-75 victory over Mount Mercy (Iowa).

    SCOUTING MINNESOTA DULUTH    
•UMD was picked as the favorite in the North Division and fifth overall.
•UMD enters the NSIC/Sanford tournament as the second seed in the North. 
•Head coach, Mandy Pearson, is in her fourth full season as  head coach and has compiled a 56-50 overall record and 49-39 in the NSIC. 
•Sammy Kozlowski leads the team in scoring at 12.2  ppg.
•Kozlowski has lead the team in scoring in three of the five games this season. 
•Sarah Grow is the team leader in rebounding at 5.9 rpg. 
•The team is holding a plus-11.0 scoring margin and is plus-0.3 in rebound margin. 
•UMD is averaging 41.8 percent  from the field, 34.6  percent from the three-point line, and 71.3  from the free-throw line. 

    RODNING EARNS NSIC WEEKLY AWARD
•Junior forward Caleigh Rodning was named the NSIC South Division Player of the Week on Nov. 19. 
•It's the first time Rodning has received this award and is 
the first Mustang to earn the honor under head coach Tom Webb.  
•In two SMSU victories, Rodning recorded back-to-back double-doubles with 34 points and 16 rebounds against Wisconsin-Parkside, followed by 17 points and 10 rebounds against William Jewell.
•Rodning shot 59 percent from the field (16 of 27), 67 percent from beyond the arc (6 of 9), and went 13-15 from the free throw line throughout the weekend. 

    NCAA STATISTICAL RANKINGS 
•The latest NCAA statistics (through Feb. 24) are located on page 20.
•Caleigh Rodning ranks 28th in free throw pct. and 48th in free throws made.
•Meleah Reinhart 68th in free throw percentage.
•Abuk Akoi ranks 63rd in blocked shots per game and 87th in blocked shots. 
•SMSU ranks 17th in free throw pct. and 15th in three-point field goals made. 

    NSIC STATISTICAL RANKINGS
•The final NSIC statistics (conference games only) are located on pages 18-19. 
•SMSU lead the conference in three throw pct. with 77.1
•Abuk Akoi ranked fifth in blocked shots and 6th in field goal pct. 
•Meleah Reinhart ranked eighth in free throw pct. and ninth in 3-point percentage.
•Caleigh Rodning ranked seventh in free throw pct. and 14th in rebounding. 

    MUSTANGS IN THE SMSU RECORD BOOK 
•Junior forward Caleigh Rodning  leads SMSU in the most categories of the all-time career book. 

               BLOCKED SHOTS AVERAGE
1. 2.3      Chrishawn McArthur (80 games)     1993-96 
2. 1.7     Abuk Akoi (48 games)    2017-19  

REBOUNDING AVERAGE
1. 10.3     Mary Becker (71 games)    1978-81 
2. 8.9     Cindy Olson (74 games)    1976-80 
3. 8.7     Lillie Brown (103 games)    1992-96 
4. 8.5     Anne Pryor (94 games)    1978-82 
5. 8.2     Julie Thein (112 games)    1987-91 
6. 7.4     Caleigh Rodning (76 games)    2016-19 

FREE THROW PERCENTAGE
1. .856     Abby Oakland (125-146)     2005-09
2. .842     Mary Roddel (256-304)     2000-04 
3. 359     Caleigh Rodning (78 games)     2016-19  

FREE THROWS MADE
1. 409     Andrea Schreier (111 games)    1997-01 
2. 380     Shelli Schoeneck (122 games)    1999-03 
3. 355     Caleigh Rodning (76 games)    2016-19 

    MUSTANG 20-POINT GAMES  
•A total of four SMSU players have scored 20 or more points in a game during their careers, including eight times this season. 
•Junior Caleigh Rodning has four 20-point games this season and 13 in her career.
•Sophomore Meleah Reinhart earned her third 20-point game this season with 22 versus Augustana on Feb. 23, 2019.
•Sophomore Erin Baxter has two this year and four in her career, while senior Sarah Buysse have one career 20-point game.
20 or More Point Games - 2018-19 Season
    34    Caleigh Rodning     Wisconsin-Parkside, 11/16/18
    24    Caleigh Rodning    Concordia-St. Paul, 12/08/18
    22    Caleigh Rodning     Missouri Western, 11/10/18
    22    Caleigh Rodning    Winona State, 2/16/19
    22    Meleah Reinhart    North Central, 11/20/18
    22    Meleah Reinhart    Augustana, 2/23/19
    21    Erin Baxter    William Jewell, 11/17/18
    21    Erin Baxter    Bemidji State, 2/2/19
    20    Meleah Reinhart    Minnesota State, 1/12/18

    
    ABUK AKOI NOTES
•Averaging 7.9 ppg and 5.6 rpg in 22 games with 10 starts. 
•Missed four games early this season with an injury.
•Career-high 17 points vs. Wayne State (1/5/19). 
•Recorded six steals vs. Concordia-St. Paul (12/8/18).
•Had five blocked shots vs. Minnesota State (12/7/18).
•Ranks second in all-time record in blocking average with 1.7.
•Recorded her first double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds against Upper Iowa on Jan. 26.  
•Recorded a team-high 49 blocked shots in 2017-18 to rank seventh in single-season team history. 
•Tied program single-game record with seven blocked shots vs. UMary (2/3/18). 

    ERIN BAXTER NOTES
•Has appeared in 27 games with 12 starts. 
•Ranks fourth on the team averaging 9.7 ppg.
•Has recorded 38 steals.
•Has led the team in scoring four times, assists three times this season, and rebounding once. 
•Career-high five 3-pointers vs. William Jewell (11/17/18).
•Career-high 25 points at Concordia-St. Paul on (1/19/18).
•Led the 2017-18 team with 34 steals. 

    TAYLOR BONESTROO NOTES
•Has played in 14 games. 
•Scored a career-high three points against Upper Iowa on Jan. 26.
•Played in 17 games as a true freshman.

    JENNA BORCHERS NOTES
•Has appeared in all 27 games as a true freshman with 17 starts. 
•Averaging 6.1 ppg and 2.23 rpg with 38 3-pointers. 
•Tied for fourth on the team with 39 assist and ranks third with 30 steals. 
•Career-high 15 points at Augustana (2/23/19)
•Career-high five steals against UMC (2/1/19).
•Scored the game-winning 3-pointer against Augustana on Jan. 4 to earn the Mustangs sixth victory this season.

    EMILY BUYSSE NOTES 
•Has played in 25 games and is averaging 2.0  ppg.
•Scored season-high five points vs. William Jewell (11/17/18).  
•Played in all 24 games in 2017-18. 

    SARAH BUYSSE NOTES 
•Has played in 27 games with two starts. 
•Averaging 5.3 ppg and 3.1 rpg.
•Scored four 3-pointers against MSU to total 15 for the team.
•Season-high 11 points vs. Wisconsin-Parkside (11/16/18).
•Scored 10 points with two 3-pointers and grabbed a season-high eight rebound at Sioux Falls (12/30/18).   
•Earned a career-high four steals against MSU. 

    MORGAN FRANK NOTES
•Has played in 14  games and is averaging 1.6 ppg and 1.2 rpg. 
•Scored a career-high seven points with six rebounds vs. North Central (11/20/18).

    MATEYA HUTTON NOTES 
•Has played in 18 games and averaging 1.8 ppg and 2.4 rpg.
•Tied career-high with six rebounds vs. North Central (11/20/18).
•Tied her career-high points (7) twice this season. 
•Has scored a season-high five points three times. 
•Missed the conference opener with an injury. 
•Played in 24 games as a true freshman in 2017-18.

    MELEAH REINHART NOTES 
•Reinhart has started in all 27 games this season. 
•Averaging a team second-best 11.9 ppg and is averaging 3.4 rpg. 
•Has led the team in scoring in 10 games. 
•Recorded a career-high five assists and six steals against MSU on Jan. 12, 2019. 
•Scored a career-high 22 points with for 3-pointers vs. North Central (11/22/18).
•Season-high seven rebounds at Sioux Falls (12/30/18).

    CALEIGH RODNING NOTES 
•Named a 2018-19 NSIC "Player to Watch." 
•NSIC South Division Player of the Week on Nov. 19, 2018.
•Has started all 27 games and leads the team in both scoring (13.9) and rebounding (7.0). 
•Also leads the team in field goals made (116) and free throws made (109). 
•Became the 20th Mustang to score 1,000 career points against Upper Iowa on 2/15/19. 
•Has a team-high five double-doubles, including three straight (34 points and 16 rebounds vs. Wisconsin-Parkside, 17 points and 10 rebounds vs. William Jewel, and 12 points and 10 rebounds vs. North Central).
•Named All-NSIC second team in 2017-18. 
•Shot 85 percent from the free throw line last season to rank third in team single-season history.

    SADIE STELTER NOTES 
•Stelter has started in 26 of 27 games this season. 
•Leads the team  in 3-pointers made with 43. 
•Ranks third on the team averaging 9.7 ppg and 3.5 rpg. 
•Scored season-high 18 points--one shy of her career-high--in the season opener vs. Fort Hays State (11/9/18) with a season-high three 3-pointers. 

     SARA TESKE NOTES
•Has played in 27 games with 14 starts 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).

    HOME AND AWAY     
•SMSU is 9-5 in home games this season. 
•SMSU is 3-10 in road/neutral site games this season after finishing 1-13 in away/neutral games last season.
•The following is a statistical comparison of the Mustang team averages for home and away/neutral games in 2018-19:
        W-L    FG%    3-FG%    FT%    REB    PTS    TO        
Home    9-5     41.6    33.1    77.1    39.6    74.6    15.2        
Away    3-10    36.1    31.2    77.5    35.5    66.1    14.6          
     
    HOME SWEET HOME 
•This season marks the 23rd year the R/A Facility has served as the home arena for SMSU women's basketball. 
•SMSU has a record of 147-151 overall record and a 92-121 conference record in the facility. 

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
    Totals:     147-151     92-121     65-31

    RODNING ALL-NSIC IN 2017-18
•Caleigh Rodning was the lone Mustang to earn All-NSIC honors last season as she was named second team. 

    SMSU ALL-TIME IN THE NSIC 
•The 2018-19 campaign marks the 40th season SMSU has competed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. 
•SMSU has an all-time record of 238-384 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 50th season of women's basketball in 2018-19.
•SMSU has played 1,258 games compiling an all-time record of 594-664. 
•SMSU has recorded 26 winning seasons, but has not had  a winning season since the 2009-10 team finished 15-12.