THIS WEEKEND
•The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (4-0, 2-0 NSIC) will have its first two road games of the season this Friday and Saturday with a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference games at Minnesota State University (3-3, 2-2 NSIC) in Mankato.
•Friday's game will begin at 6 p.m., while Saturday's match-up will start at 3 p.m. at MSU's Taylor Center.
•SMSU is 4-0 to start the team season for the first time since the 2004-05 team opened the season with seven straight victories.   
•SMSU's current four-game winning streak matches a four-game winning streak during the 2019-20 season. The last time SMSU won five straight games came during the 2009-10 season when the team won six straight.

    BROADCAST INFO
•Friday's game will be broadcast on 105.1 FM KARL, while Saturday's game is on 101.7 FM/1400 AM KMHL.
•Live stats, radio broadcast and video broadcast can be found at SMSUmustangs.com.

    SERIES HISTORY VERSUS MINNESOTA STATE
•SMSU and MSU meet for the 63rd and 64th time with MSU leading 42-20 in a series started in 1970-71.
•MSU leads the series 25-7 in games played in Mankato, including winning 76-60 last season.
•SMSU has won three of the last four meetings the past two seasons. SMSU's win on Dec. 7, 2018, snapped a 23-game losing streak in the series.
•SMSU head coach Tom Webb is 3-5 all-time versus Minnesota State.
•Game-by-game results of the series is located on page 17.

    SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB
•Tom Webb is in his fifth season as head coach with a 40-73 record, including 29-61 in NSIC play.
•Webb is 131-196 overall in his 13th season as head coach at the Division II level after compiling a record of 91-123 in eight seasons (2008-16) as head coach at Cameron University (Okla.).
•SMSU has improved its victory total each season since Webb took over prior to the 2016-17 season.
•SMSU's 16 victories last season was the program's most since recording 19 during the 2004-05 season.  
•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.

    ABOUT SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE
•SMSU returned to action last Saturday and Sunday opening NSIC South Division play with a pair of blowout home wins over Upper Iowa, 70-47 and 68-37. It was SMSU's first games since defeating Minot State on both Jan. 2-3.
•In last Saturday's win, Sadie Stelter scored 18 points and connected on 5 of 9 shooting. Meleah Reinhart was the only other Mustang to reach double figures with 14 points on 6 of 12 shooting.
•SMSU limited UIU to 26 percent shooting and held a 48-41 rebound advantage.
•In Sunday's game, SMSU was dominate on defense once again, limiting UIU to 21 percent shooting and 20 turnovers.  
•Reinhart led a balanced SMSU attack on Sunday with 13 points and six rebounds, while teammate Jenna Borchers added 12 points. Abuk Akoi and Madison Gehloff each scored seven points for the Mustangs, while Caleigh Rodning pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.
•For the season, SMSU is shooting 41 percent from the field, 30 percent from 3-point range, 74 percent from the free throw line and is plus-9.7 in rebound margin. SMSU is averaging 71 points per game, while opponents average  51 ppg.

    MUSTANG DEFENSE MAKES A STAND
•SMSU allowed just 37 points in the victory over Upper Iowa on Sunday. It was the first time SMSU held an opponent to less than 40 points since limiting Presentation (S.D.) to 39 points on Nov. 30, 2005.  
•The SMSU defense allowed just 14 points in the second half on Sunday, which was the first time since Nov. 20, 2018, that an SMSU opponent was held to 15 or less points in a half.
•SMSU allowed just six points in the third quarter and eight in the fourth quarter on Sunday. SMSU has now limited opponents to less than 10 points in five different quarters this season.

    REINHART CLOSING IN ON 1,000 CAREER POINTS
•Senior Meleah Reinhart begins the weekend with 985 career points in 84 games. With 15 more points, she will become the 21st player in team history to reach 1,000 career points.

    MUSTANGS IN THE SMSU RECORD BOOK
•Six Mustangs are ranked among the top 15 in several SMSU career records, which are located on page 4.   
•Senior Caleigh Rodning ranks second in free throws made with 389 and is 20 from tying Andrea Schreier (1997-2001) for the all-time record of 409. She also ranks fourth in free throw pct. (83.1), sixth in free throws attempts (468) and ninth with 648 rebounds.
•Senior Abuk Akoi ranks second in team history with 146 blocked shots.
•Senior Meleah Reinhart ranks sixth in free throw pct. (79.6) and is 21st in scoring with 985 points.
•Senior Erin Baxter ranks seventh in free-throw percentage (79.5).
•Junior Jenna Borchers ranks third in three-point percentage (41.4) and eighth in three-point field goals (125).
•Senior Sadie Stelter ranks fourth in 3-point field goals made (144) and ranks eighth in free-throw percentage (79.3).

    NEW LOOK NSIC SCHEDULE AND POSTSEASON  
•Each NSIC team was scheduled to have 16 regular season games with 14 conference games versus teams within their division.
•The NSIC Sanford Tournament has been reduced to an eight-team tournament with the top four teams in each division advancing to the tournament in Sioux Falls, S.D.  

    SCOUTING MINNESOTA STATE
•Minnesota State, the preseason favorite in the NSIC South Division poll, is 3-3 overall, 2-2 NSIC, following a split of home games last weekend versus Wayne State. WSC won the opener on Saturday, 84-79, but MSU bounced back with an 84-71 win on Sunday.
•Sophomore guard Joey Batt is the leading scorer for the Mavericks averaging 14.7 ppg.
•Senior forward Rachel Shumski is the second leading scorer at 12.8 ppg to go along with 7.2 rpg.
•Senior forward Tayla Stuttley is also averaging 12.8 ppg and 6.0 rpg.
•MSU is shooting 37 percent from the field, 25 percent from 3-point range, 66 percent from the free throw line and is plus-0.8 in rebound margin. MSU is averaging 77 points per game, while opponents are averaging 77 ppg.
•Head coach Emily Thiesse is in her ninth season with a record of 143-95 with two NCAA Tournament appearances.  

    SMSU PICKED 5TH IN NSIC PRESEASON POLL
•SMSU was picked to finish tied for fifth in the South Division in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
•SMSU senior guard Meleah Reinhart was named a "Player to Watch".
•Minnesota State was chosen as the South Division favorite, followed by Augustana, Winona State and Sioux Falls State rounding out the top four.    

    ABUK AKOI NOTES
•Has started all four games and is averaging 9.0 ppg and 3.5 rpg.
•Season-high 10 points on five field goals vs. Minot State (1/3/21).
•Ranks second in team history with 143 blocked shots.
•One of three Mustangs to start all 28 games last season.
•Named to 2019-20 NSIC All-Defensive team.
•Led the NSIC in rebounding and finished second in blocked shots last season.
•Scored a career-high 22 points vs. Sioux Falls (12/21/19).
•Tied program single-game record with seven blocked shots  versus UMary (2/3/18) and Minnesota State (1/11/20).

    ERIN BAXTER NOTES
•Has started all four games this season and is averaging 6.3 ppg and 4.3 rpg.
•Scored season-high 11 points vs. Minot State (1/3/21).
•Appeared in all 28 games last season with 13 starts and averaged 5.2 ppg and 3.0 rpg.
•Ranks seventh in team history in free throw percentage (79.5).

    JENNA BORCHERS NOTES
•Has started all four games and is averaging 11.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg.
•Leads the team with 10 3-pointers.
•Season-high 15 points vs. Minot State (1/3/21).
•One of three Mustangs to start all 28 games last season.
•Connected on a team-high 72 3-pointers also led the team with 77 assists.
•Led the NSIC last year in 3-point field goal pct. (44.2).
•Scored a career-high 30 points at UMary (1/28/20).
•Ranks third in team history in 3-point field goal percentage (41.4).
•Her 72 3-pointers in 2019-20 was one shy of team single-season record.
•Named NSIC South Division Player of the Week (2/24/20).

    SARAH CONLON NOTES
•Has played in two games.
•Made 3-pointer vs. Upper Iowa (1/17/21)
•One of two true freshmen on the roster.

    OLIVIA DRUMMER NOTES
•Has played in three games this season.
•Appeared in 18 games last season and scored 12 points.
•Scored career-high five points at Minot State (1/17/20).

    MADISON GEHLOFF NOTES
•Has played in all four games and is averaging 6.0 ppg and 5.0 rpg.
•Scored eight points with six rebounds vs. Minot State (1/2/21).
•Appeared in all 28 games and averaged 5.0 ppg and 2.6 rpg a season ago.
•Scored a career-high 20 points with eight field goals at Augustana (1/3/20).

    MATEYA HUTTON NOTES
•Has played in three games this season.
•Appeared in 15 games last season and scored four points.
•Tied career-high with six rebounds vs. North Central (11/20/18).
•Recorded a field goal vs. Minnesota State (1/11).  

    HANNAH PARSLEY NOTES
•Has played in all four games and is averaging 3.3 ppg and 2.8 rpg.
•Scored season-high five points and five rebounds vs. Minot State (1/2/21).
•One of two true freshmen on the roster.

    MELEAH REINHART NOTES
•Has started all four games and is averaging 14.3 ppg and 3.8 rpg.
•Scored season-high 20 points vs. Minot State (1/2/21).
•Started all 27 games last season and averaged a team-best 15 ppg, while averaging 4.1 rpg.
•Two-time second team All-NSIC honoree
•Has scored 985 career points in 84 games.
•Ranks sixth in team history in free throw percentage (79.6).
•Scored a career-high 27 points with 12 field goals at UMary (2/26/20).
•Named NSIC South Division player of the week on Nov. 12.

    CALEIGH RODNING NOTES
•Has played in all four games this season and is averaging 3.8 ppg and 4.8 rpg.
•Scored season-high six points vs. Upper Iowa (1/16/21).
•Missed all but six games last season due to an injury and averaged 9.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg.
•Ranks second in team history in free throws made (389).
•Ranks 13th in team history in scoring (1,128).
•Named All-NSIC second team in both 2017-18 and 2018-19.
•Shot 85.3 percent from the free throw line in 2018-19 ranking third in team single-season history.

    LILY SCHOKNECHT NOTES
•Has played in all four games this season and has grabbed six rebounds.
•Had three blocked shots vs. Upper Iowa (1/6/21).
•Played in 24 games last season and averaged 0.5 ppg and 1.2 rpg.
•Scored four points at Sioux Falls (11/20/19).

    SADIE STELTER NOTES
•Has appeared in all four games and is averaging 13.3 ppg with five 3-pointers.
•Scored 18 points vs. Minot State (1/2/21) and 18 points vs. Upper Iowa (1/16/21).  
•Ranks fourth in team history in 3-pointers made (144) and is eighth in free throw pct. (79.3).
•Played in all 28 games last season with 21 starts, while averaging 10.7 ppg and 2.9 rpg.
•Second on the team with 56 3-pointers last season.
•Scored career-high 24 points at UMary (1/18/20).
    
    SARA TESKE NOTES
•Has played in two games this season.
•Scored four points vs. Minot State (1/3/21).
•Appeared in all 28 games last season with one start and finished averaging 3.7 ppg and 4.6 rpg.
•Tied a career-high 11 points at Concordia Portland (11/29/19).

    SAM WALL NOTES
•Has started all four games this season and is averaging 3.3 ppg and 2.3 rpg.
•Scored eight points vs. Minot State (1/3/21).
•Appeared in all 28 games with 13 starts and averaged 4.9 ppg and 1.8 rpg.
•Scored a career-high 14 points with four 3-pointers vs. Presentation (11/16/19).

    REINHART & AKOI EARN 2019-20 ALL-NSIC HONORS  
•Senior Meleah Reinhart was named second team All-NSIC for the second straight season in 2019-20.
•In NSIC play, Reinhart ranked eighth in the league in free throw pct. and 11th in scoring.
•Senior Abuk Akoi was named to the NSIC All-Defensive team as she led the league in blocked shots and finished second in rebounding.  

    WORKING OVERTIME
•SMSU is 11-27 all-time in overtime games, including finishing 1-1 last season. SMSU lost at Concordia-St. Paul, but won at UMary.  
•SMSU is 3-4 in double overtime games and has never played into triple overtime.

    HOME AND AWAY    
•SMSU is 4-0 at home this season after finishing 7-5 last season and 9-5 in 2018-19.
•SMSU was 9-7 in road/neutral site games last season.
•The following is a statistical comparison of the Mustang team averages for home and away/neutral games in 2020-21:
    W-L    FG%    3-FG%    FT%    REB    PTS    TO    
Home    4-0    41.4    30.2    74.0    45.2    71.2    12.5    
Away    0-0    -    -    -    -    -    -     

    SEASON OPENERS
•SMSU is now 31-21 all-time in season openers following last week's win over Minot State. It was the first time SMSU had opened a season at home since Nov. 13, 2015.

    HOME SWEET HOME
•The 2020-21 season marks the 25th year the R/A Facility has served as the home arena for SMSU women's basketball.
•SMSU has a record of 159-157 (.500) in 316 games, including 100-126 in NSIC play inside the R/A 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
    2019-20    7-5    6-5    1-0    
    2020-21    4-0    2-0    2-0    
    Totals:     159-157     100-126    59-31

    SMSU ALL-TIME IN THE NSIC
•The 2020-21 campaign marks the 42nd season SMSU has competed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
•SMSU has an all-time record of 251-395 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 52nd season of women's basketball in 2020-21.
•SMSU has played 1,291 games compiling an all-time record of 614-677.
•SMSU has recorded 26 winning seasons, including last season's squad that finished 16-12. It was the program's first winning season since 2009-10.