THIS WEEKEND
•The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team continues its quest through the NSIC with a pair of games against Wayne State and Augustana
•The Mustangs will travel to Wayne, Neb., on Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off before welcoming Augustana Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
BROADCAST INFO
•The game will be broadcast on 105.1 FM KARL with Ryan Rohlik.
•Live stats, radio broadcast and video broadcast can be found at SMSUmustangs.com.
LAST WEEKEND
•SMSU battled back after trailing at halftime to defeat Sioux Falls 75-67 to open their conference slate on the road at the Stewart Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.
•After trailing 33-29 at the break, The Mustangs would outscore the Cougars 19-10 in the third quarter to jolt them to victory. SMSU would win the game at the free throw line and on the glass, out-shooting USF 92.9 percent (26-of-28) to 73.7 percent (14-of-19) from the line while out-rebounding USF 42-29.
•Jenna Borchers led the offense with 18 points, four rebounds and three assists to help the Mustangs to victory, while making all 11 free throws. Meleah Reinhart would add 16 points and five rebounds while making all eight of her free throws. Sadie Stelter and Madison Gehloff would contribute six rebounds apiece to lead the Mustangs on the glass, while Abuk Akoi would score 12 points on six of eight shooting, adding five rebounds and a block.
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 Meleah Reinhart is leading the Mustangs in scoring with 18.0 ppg.
•Reinhart also leads SMSU in rebounding with 6.6 rpg and steals with seven.
•Senior guard Sadie Stelter and Jenna Borchers lead the team in assists with 11 apiece.
•Senior center Abuk Akoi leads the team in blocks with seven.
•SMSU is averaging 71.2 ppg while opponents are averaging 63.8 ppg. SMSU has a plus-3.8 rebounding margin.
•SMSU is shooting 41.0 percent from the field, 32.0 percent from the 3-point line, and 86.1 percent the free-throw line.
SMSU FIFTH IN D2SIDA REGIONAL POLL
•SMSU is ranked fifth in this week's D2SIDA Central Region poll released on Monday, Nov. 29.
•Each of the eight regions have representatives from D2SIDA that coordinate the regional committee, with a regional poll that will be released every Monday 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.
D2SIDA Central Region Poll (Nov. 29)
Rank Team (First-Place Votes) W-L Pts. Prev.
1 Fort Hays State (6) 5-0 60 1
2 Emporia State 5-1 44 6
3 Nebraska-Kearney 5-1 37 5
4 Southwestern Oklahoma State 6-2 33 2
5 Southwest Minnesota State 4-1 30 T8
6 Missouri Western 4-0 27 10
7 St. Cloud State 3-1 24 RV
8 Arkansas Tech 3-1 23 4
9 Minnesota State 5-0 22 RV
10 Central Missouri 4-3 10 7
SERIES HISTORY
•SMSU and Wayne State meet for the 61st time with WSC leading 40-20 in a series that started in 1991.
•The teams split a pair of games last season in Wayne, Neb., with WSC defeating SMSU 74-60 on Feb. 12 and SMSU toppling WSC 85-49 on Feb. 13.
•SMSU has won two of the last three meetings between the two teams since Feb. 21, 2020.
•WSC won 21 straight meetings in the series from 2009-10 to 2019-20.
•SMSU head coach Tom Webb is 2-8 all-time versus Wayne State, and 2-3 in his last five games against them.
•Full series history can be found on page 21
•SMSU and Augustana meet for the 49th time with Augie leading 32-16 in a series that started in 1969.
•The teams split a pair of games last season in Marshall, with Augie defeating SMSU 83-81 in overtime on Feb. 5 and SMSU defeating Augie 75-62 on Feb. 6.
•SMSU has won four of the last six meetings between the two teams since Feb. 4, 2019.
•Augie won 21 of 23 games against SMSU from Dec. 11, 2004 to Feb. 10, 2018.
•Tom Webb is 4-6 all-time versus Augustana.
•Full series history can be found on page 22
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.
SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB
•Tom Webb is in his sixth season as head coach with a 49-79 record, including 35-66 in NSIC play.
•Webb is 140-202 overall in 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.
WAYNE STATE NOTES
•The Wildcats went 2-0 last week with a 73-61 win to open conference play against Augustana before knocking off South Dakota Mines 68-65 in overtime.
•Wayne State comes into this weekend 4-1 on the season and 1-0 in NSIC action.
• The Wildcats finished last season 6-10 overall and 5-9 in the NSIC.
•Head coach Brent Pollari is in his fourth season leading the charge at Wayne State.
•The Wildcats' 2021-22 squad features one senior, four juniors, three sophomores, and six freshman.
•Guard Kylie Hammer is the Wildcats' top scorer, averaging 16.6 points per game on 31.8 percent shooting.
•Forward Kassidy Pingel is averaging 8.2 points per game while collecting a team-high 6.8 rebounds per game.
•Wayne State is shooting 39.5 percent from the field, 32.7 percent from 3-point range, and 67.9 percent from the free throw line.
•The Wildcats average 70.0 points per game, while opponents average 61.4 points per game.
AUGUSTANA NOTES
•The Vikings went 1-1 last week, losing in their conference opener at Wayne State 73-61 before topping Briar Cliff 77-64 on Saturday.
•Augustana comes into this weekend 3-1 on the season and 0-1 on conference play
• The Vikings finished last season 12-5 overall and 10-3 in the NSIC, reaching the conference tournament before losing to St. Cloud State in the semifinals.
•Head coach Dave Krauth is in his 33rd season at the helm for Augustana.
•The Vikings' 2021-22 squad features three seniors, five juniors, two sophomores, and six freshman.
•Guard Lauren Sees is the Vikings' lead scorer, averaging 14.3 points per game and leading the team with seven three-pointers.
•Forward Aislinn Duffy is averaging a double-double on the season with 10.8 points per game and a team-high 11.8 rebounds.
•Augustana is shooting 44.5 percent from the field, 24.4 percent from 3-point range, and 65.1 percent from the free throw line.
•The Vikings average 76.3 points per game, while opponents average 61.5 points per game.
ABUK AKOI NOTES
•Named a 2021-22 NSIC "Player to Watch"
•Has started all five games
•Averaging 6.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.
•Holds school record with 194 career blocked shots
•Leads the Mustangs in three point percentage
•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
•Has started all five games
•Averaging 2.6 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
•Ranks 12th in school 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
•Has totaled one rebound and one assist
JENNA BORCHERS NOTES
•Has started all five games
•Averaging 11.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game
•Scored season-high 18 points at Sioux Falls while going a career-high 11 for 11 on free throws (11/23/21).
•Made a season-high three 3-pointers vs. Maryville (11/19/21)
•Ranks fourth in team history in 3-point field goal percentage (39.2) and fifth in 3-pointers made (160).
•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 three games this season totaling three minutes
•Made 3-pointer vs. Upper Iowa (1/17/21).
•One of two redshirt freshmen on the roster.
OLIVIA DRUMMER NOTES
•Has played in three games this season totaling two minutes
•Scored career-high five points at Minot State (1/17/20).
MADISON GEHLOFF NOTES
•Has played in each game this season
•Averaging 4.0 points and 4.6 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 four games this season
•Made her first career three-pointer and added her first rebound against Maryville (11/19/21)
HANNAH PARSLEY NOTES
•Has played in each game this season
•Averages 3.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game
•Scored career-high ten points against Truman State (11/19/21) and six rebounds vs. Augustana (2/6/21).
•One of two redshirt freshmen on the roster.
MELEAH REINHART NOTES
•Has started all five games
•Named NSIC South Division Player of the Week (11/15/21).
•Averaging a team-high 18.0 points and 6.6 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 1,238 career points ranking 11th in team history.
•Ranks sixth in team history in free throw percentage (81.7) 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 2.6 points per game and 1.4 rebounds per game
•Made her first career three-pointer against Maryville (11/19/21)
•Had three blocked shots vs. Upper Iowa (1/6/21).
SADIE STELTER NOTES
•Has started all five games
•Second on the team with 13.0 points per game and 4.8 rebounds per game while leading the team with 11 assists
•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 (166) and is fifth in free throw pct. (82.6).
•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 6.6 minutes per game.
•Scored career-high four points in nine minutes against Truman State (11/20/21)
SAM WALL NOTES
•Has played in each game this season
•Averaging 7.6 points per game and leads the team with nine 3-pointers made on 50.0 percent shooting.
•Only Mustang 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.
HOME AND AWAY
•SMSU has started this season 1-1 at home after finishing 6-2 in 2020-21 and 7-5 in 2019-20
•SMSU is off to a 3-0 start in road/neutral site games this season after recording a 3-3 mark in road/neutral site games in 2020-21.
•The following is a statistical comparison of the Mustang team averages for home and away/neutral games in 2021-22:
W-L FG% 3-FG% FT% REB PTS TO
Home 1-1 40.5 32.8 75.7 36.5 70.5 13.0
Away 3-0 41.3 30.8 91.5 39.7 71.7 15.7
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 162-160 (.503) in 322 games inside the R/A Facility.
SMSU ALL-TIME IN THE NSIC
•The 2021-22 campaign marks the 43nd season SMSU has competed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
•SMSU has an all-time record of 257-400 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 in its 53rd season of women's basketball in 2021-22.
•SMSU has played 1,236 games compiling an all-time record of 623-684.
•SMSU has recorded 27 winning seasons, including the last two seasons. The 2019-20 squad that finished 16-12 was the program's first winning season since 2009-10.
