THIS WEEKEND
•The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team opens its home season hosting the EverSpring Inn & Suites Classic this weekend.
•The Mustangs will faces Maryville (Mo.) with a 5 p.m. tip-off on Friday before playing against Truman State at 4 p.m. on Saturday in the R/A Facility.
LAST WEEKEND
•SMSU opened the season overcoming a slow start to race past the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats, 64-48, on Friday evening at the Northwest Missouri State Classic.
•After trailing by 21 points after the first quarter, SMSU would outscore NWMSU 58-21 in the final three quarters en route to victory. The four-point fourth quarter by NWMSU is the lowest quarter total given up by SMSU since the switch from two halves to four quarters in the 2015-16 season.
•Meleah Reinhart lead the team with 18 points, going a perfect 8 for 8 from the free-throw line, and recorded seven rebounds in the victory. Sadie Stelter stuffed the stat sheet, recording her first career double-double with 16 points and career-high 10 rebounds while adding a pair of steals and assists. Abuk Akoi anchored a defense that would give up 21 points in the final three quarters with three blocks while adding seven points and three rebounds.
•SMSU overcame another double-digit deficit, riding a fourth quarter rally to defeat No. 15-ranked Nebraska-Kearney 76-66 on Saturday afternoon to conclude the Northwest Missouri State classic with a 2-0 record.
•SMSU (2-0) outscored UNK 29-12 in the final frame to lead them to victory.
•Reinhart lead the team with 27 points, shooting 50 percent from the field and 90 percent from the free-throw line, and added eight rebounds and three steals in the comeback. Jenna Borchers brought fire in the fourth quarter, scoring eight of her 16 points in the period en route to victory. Stelter would also provide eight points in the fourth, finishing the day with 13 points while shooting 7-of-8 from the free throw line.
REINHART EARNS NSIC SOUTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
•For the second time in her career, Meleah Reinhart earned NSIC South Division Player of the Week honors, announced on Monday afternoon.
•She finished the weekend averaging 22.5 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game after recording 18 points and seven rebounds against Northwest Missouri State and 27 points and eight rebounds against Nebraska-Kearney. Reinhart shot 44.8 percent from the field, going 13-of-29 and shooting 94.4 percent from the free-throw line, connecting on 17-of-18 attempts.
•Reinhart averaged the second most points in the NSIC (22.5) and fourth most rebounds (7.5), while her 27 points was the second highest total in the conference.
STELTER REACHES 1,000-POINT MILESTONE
•Sadie Stelter became the 22nd player in program history with 1,000 career points against Nebraska-Kearney on Nov. 13.
• Her jumper to go over the 1,000-point total was an important one, as her jumper cut the UNK lead to 54-53 in the fourth quarter.
•Stelter also recorded her first-career double-double on Nov. 12, when she totaled 16 points and a career-high 10 rebounds to help lead the Mustangs to victory.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE
•SMSU returns its top seven scorers from last season and all five starters.
•SMSU was tabbed seventh overall and second in the South Division in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll
•The team features four seniors, one junior, four sophomores, and six freshmen.
•Senior guard Maleah Reinhart is leading the Mustangs in scoring with 22.5 ppg.
•Reinhart also leads SMSU in rebounding with 7.5 rpg.
•Junior guard Jenna Borchers leads the team in assists with 2.0 assists per game.
•Senior guard Sadie Stelter leads the team in steals with a 2.0 average.
•SMSU is averaging 70.0 ppg while opponents are averaging 57.0 ppg. SMSU has a plus-3.5 rebounding margin.
•SMSU is shooting 40.4 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from the 3-point line, and 90.7 percent the free-throw line.
SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB
•Tom Webb is in his sixth season as head coach with a 47-78 record, including 34-66 in NSIC play.
•Webb is 138-201 overall heading into his 14th 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 improved its victory total each season since Webb took over prior to the 2016-17 season (not including the COVID 2020-21 season).
•SMSU recorded back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2001-2003 after finishing over .500 in 2019-20 and 2020-21.
•SMSU's .643 win percentage in 2020-21 was the program's best since their .655 percentage in 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 17.
SERIES HISTORY
•SMSU and Maryville will meet for the first time.
•SMSU and Truman State will for the second time with Truman State winning the only meeting in 2009 71-59.
•It will be the first time in the Tom Webb era SMSU will match up with each team.
MARYVILLE NOTES
•Maryville is a member of the GLVC and is located in St. Louis, Mo.
•The Saints come into the weekend 1-1 overall after a 72-59 victory against Davenport University on Friday before falling 62-32 to Grand Valley State University on Saturday.
•Maryville finished last season 11-11 overall and 11-10 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
•Head coach Collin Lanam is in his sixth season as head coach for the Saints.
•The Saints' 2021-22 squad features two seniors, six juniors, five sophomores, and two freshman.
•Guard Antoinette Mussorici is the Saints' top scorer, averaging 13 points per game, and leads the team with four assists per game.
•Guard Taylor Kirby is averaging 10 points per game and four rebounds, both good for second on the team.
•Maryville is shooting 32.7 percent from the field, 30.4 percent from 3-point range, and 69.6 percent from the free throw line.
•The Saints average 52.0 points per game, while opponents average 60.5 points per game.
TRUMAN STATE NOTES
•Truman State is a member of the GLVC and is located in Kirksville, Mo.
•The Bulldogs started the season 0-2 with a 78-66 loss to Parkside before falling 87-77 against Ursuline College after opening the season ranked No. 23 in the WBCA Preseason Coaches Poll
•Truman finished last season 17-5 overall and 14-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, claiming the No. 3 seed in the NCAA Midwest regional before falling in the region semifinals
•Head coach Theo Dean is in his third season as head coach for the Bulldogs.
•The Bulldogs' 2021-22 squad features four seniors, four juniors, three sophomores, and four freshman.
•Guard Hannah Belanger is the Bulldogs' top scorer, averaging 22 points per game while leading the team with 4.5 assists per game.
•Forward Ellie Weltha is averaging 20 points per game and seven rebounds per game, both good for second on the team.
•Truman is shooting 49.1 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from 3-point range, and 72.7 percent from the free throw line.
•The Bulldogs average 71.5 points per game, while opponents average 82.5 points per game.
ABUK AKOI NOTES
•Named a 2021-22 NSIC "Player to Watch"
•Started both games in the opening weekend
•Averaging six points and three rebounds per game.
•Holds school record with 187 career blocked shots
•One of two Mustangs to make a three pointer in each game this season.
•Named to 2020-21 NSIC All-Defensive team.
•Led the NSIC in blocked shots and finished third in rebounding 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) Minnesota State (1/11/20), (1/23/21) and versus Augustana (2/6/21).
ERIN BAXTER NOTES
•Started both games in the opening weekend
•Averaging one point and three rebounds per game.
•Ranks 12th in team history in free throw percentage (78.3).
•Led the team while finishing fifth in the NSIC in steals per game (2.0).
PEYTON BLANDIN NOTES
•Has appeared in each game this season
•Averaging four minutes per game
JENNA BORCHERS NOTES
•Started both games in the opening weekend
•Averaging 11 points, 2.5 rebounds and two assists per game
•Scored season-high 16 points vs. Nebraska-Kearney, including eight points in the fourth quarter (11/13/21).
•Ranks fourth in team history in 3-point field goal percentage (39.4) and fifth in 3-pointers made (155).
•One of four Mustangs to start at least 13 games last season.
•Led the NSIC last year in 3-point field goals per game (2.9).
•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 one game this season totaling one minute
•Made 3-pointer vs. Upper Iowa (1/17/21).
•One of two redshirt freshmen on the roster.
OLIVIA DRUMMER NOTES
•Has played in one game this season totaling one minute
•Scored career-high five points at Minot State (1/17/20).
MADISON GEHLOFF NOTES
•Has played in each game this season
•Averaging 4.5 points and six rebounds per game
•Totaled a career-high eight rebounds against Northwest Missouri State (11/12/21)
•Scored a career-high 20 points with eight field goals at Augustana (1/3/20).
KENZIE JONES NOTES
•Has appeared in one game this season
HANNAH PARSLEY NOTES
•Has played in each game this season
•Averages four rebounds per game
•Scored career-high eight points against Augustana (2/5/2021) and six rebounds vs. Augustana (2/6/21).
•One of two redshirt freshmen on the roster.
MELEAH REINHART NOTES
•Started both games in the opening weekend
•Named NSIC South Division Player of the Week (11/15/21).
•Averaging a team-high 22.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game
•Scored a season-high 27 points against Nebraska-Kearney and tied a career-high with eight rebounds against Nebraska-Kearney (11/13/21)
•Scored career-high 28 points on 19 field goals while tying a career-high with eight rebounds at Sioux Falls (2/21/21).
•Has scored 1,193 career points ranking 11th in team history.
•Ranks sixth in team history in free throw percentage (81.5) and ninth in 3-point field goals (127).
•All-NSIC South first team last season
•Two-time second team All-NSIC honoree.
•Named NSIC South Division player of the week on Nov. 12, 2020.
LILY SCHOKNECHT NOTES
•Appeared in each game this season
•Averaging three points per game
•Had three blocked shots vs. Upper Iowa (1/6/21).
SADIE STELTER NOTES
•Started both games in the opening weekend.
•Second on the team with 14.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
•Became the 22nd player in program history with 1,000 career points against Nebraska-Kearney (11/13/21).
•Recorded her first career double-double with 16 points and a career-high 10 rebounds against Northwest Missouri State (11/12/21).
•Ranks fourth in team history in 3-pointers made (161) and is fifth in free throw pct. (82.5).
•Led the team with 41 assists last season.
•Scored career-high 24 points at UMary (1/18/20).
BRI STOLTZMAN NOTES
•Has appeared in each game this season.
•Averaging seven minutes per game.
SAM WALL NOTES
•Has played in each game this season
•Averaging 7.5 points per game and leads the team with three 3-pointers made on 75 percent shooting.
•One of two Mustangs to make a three pointer in each game this season.
SMSU PICKED SEVENTH IN NSIC PRESEASON POLL
•SMSU was picked to finish seventh overall and second in the South Division in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
•SMSU senior center Abuk Akoi was named a "Player to Watch".
•Minnesota Duluth was chosen as the North Division favorite as well as the favorite in the NSIC, while Augustana was tabbed the South favorite.
WORKING OVERTIME
•SMSU is 11-29 all-time in overtime games, including 0-2 in 2020-21 after losing to Augustana on Feb. 5 and Sioux Falls on Feb. 21.
•SMSU is 3-4 in double overtime games and has never played into triple overtime.
HOME AND AWAY
•SMSU finished 6-2 at home last season after finishing 7-5 in 2019-20 and 9-5 in 2018-19.
•SMSU closed 3-3 in road games last season after recording a 9-7 mark in road/neutral site games in 2019-20.
•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 6-2 37.0 34.1 77.6 47.2 70.2 14.5
Away 3-3 40.3 36.0 84.1 44.2 70.2 21.5
HOME SWEET HOME
•The 2021-22 season marks the 26th year the R/A Facility has served as the home arena for SMSU women's basketball.
•SMSU has a record of 161-159 (.503) in 320 games 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 6-2 4-2 2-0
2021-22 0-0 0-0 0-0
Totals: 161-159 102-128 59-31
