THIS WEEKEND
•The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (7-4, 4-3 NSIC) brings in the new year, welcoming the University of Sioux Falls (7-5, 4-3) to the R/A Facility on Sunday, Jan 2 at 4 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.

    QUICK HITS
•SMSU lost back to back games for the first time this season.
•After a pair of starts last weekend, Meleah Reinhart has moved into a tie for second in program history in games started, and is five starts behind first place.
•Reinhart also made a pair of free-throws, moving her to seventh in program history with 315 free throws made, and is 14 points from moving into the top 10 in total points.
•With four three-pointers last weekend, Sadie Stelter moved her total in made three-pointers to 175, two off of second in program history, and 15 behind first.
•After four blocks and 12 rebounds last week, Abuk Akoi moved her program-record career block total to 210, while moving to ninth in career rebounds with 662
•Reinhart earned NSIC South Division Player of the Week honors, announced on Monday, Nov. 15.
•Stelter became the 22nd player in program history with 1,000 career points against Nebraska-Kearney on  Nov. 13.

    LAST WEEK
•Sydney Zgutowicz would score the biggest basket of the game, making a well-contested layup with 1.3 to go to guide Concordia-St. Paul to a 67-65 victory over the Southwest Minnesota State women's basketball team in a conference clash on Dec. 17 inside the Gangelhoff Center.
•After trailing by as many as 13 points in the second half, The Mustangs would battle back, taking a 62-61 lead with 1:42 left in the game before CSP would score six of the final nine points to give them the victory.
•Sam Wall had a career night for the Mustangs, shattering her career high with 19 points on a career-high five three pointers to lead offensively. Four different Mustangs reached double figures, with Wall being joined by Sadie Stelter (12), Meleah Reinhart (11) and Abuk Akoi (10). Stelter and Jenna Borchers combined for seven steals, including several key steals towards the end of the game to keep the Mustangs in the game, while Akoi led the team with seven rebounds, four assists, and three blocks.
•The Minnesota State Mavericks defeated the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs women's basketball team 96-74 behind a balanced scoring attack that would see four separate players score at least 15 points on Dec. 18 in the Taylor Center.
•SMSU ended the night shooting 47.2 percent (25 of 53), but would turn the ball over 22 times in defeat. Minnesota State shot 49.3 percent (35 of 71), only turning the ball over nine times and never trailed throughout the game.
•Stelter and Akoi each scored 16 points and grabbed 6 rebounds for SMSU. Stelter would connect on 3 of 5 three-point attempts, while Akoi would shoot an efficient 6 of 8 from the floor. Wall would perform well off the bench, scoring 13 points while also shooting 3 of 5 from behind the arc.

    ABOUT SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE
•Senior guard Meleah Reinhart is leading the Mustangs in scoring with 14.4 ppg.
•Senior guard Sadie Stelter is second on the team with 12.6 ppg and 5.2 rpg.
•Senior center Abuk Akoi leads the team in blocks with 19, and assists with 25 while shooting a 52 percent from the field, 45 percent from behind the arc, and 93 percent from the free throw line.
•Sophomore guard Sam Wall leads the team with 22 three -pointers made on 50 percent shooting from deep.  
•Wall has added spark off the bench this season, recording 8.9 ppg on 46  percent shooting in 18.8 mpg
•SMSU is averaging 70.5 ppg while opponents are averaging 66 ppg. SMSU has a plus-2.3 rebounding margin.
•SMSU is shooting 40 percent from the field, 31 percent from the 3-point line, and 79 percent the free-throw line.
•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.

    SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB
•Tom Webb is in his sixth season as head coach with a 52-82 record, including 38-69 in NSIC play.
•Webb is 143-205 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.
    
    SIOUX FALLS HISTORY
•SMSU and Sioux Falls will meet for the 39th time with each team winning 19 games in a series that started in 1969.
•SMSU defeated USF 75-67 in Sioux Falls on Nov. 23 earlier this season.
•The teams split a pair of games last season, matching up in the final two games of the year.
•SMSU won on Feb, 21, 2021 77-54 before falling in the season finale 88-83 in overtime on Feb. 22.
•USF won 14 of the last 16 meetings between the two teams from the 2013-14 season until the 2020-21 season.
•SMSU won 11 straight in the series from 1989-90 to 2002-03.
•SMSU head coach Tom Webb is 3-8 all-time versus Sioux Falls, and 3-3 in his last six games against them.
•Full series history can be found on page 19.

    EARLIER THIS SEASON VERSUS SIOUX FALLS
•SMSU battled back after trailing at halftime to defeat USF 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.
•Full box score can be found on page 20.

    SIOUX FALLS NOTES  
•The Cougars went 0-2 last week, dropping their Friday matchup at Minnesota State 73-64 and losing on the road at Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday.
•Sioux Falls comes into Sunday 8-5 on the season and 4-3 in conference play.
•USF was picked to finish fifth in the NSIC and fourth in the NSIC South.
•Head coach Travis Traphagen is in his 14th season at the helm for Sioux Falls, holding a 259-128 record.

•The Cougars' 2021-22 squad features two graduates, four seniors, six sophomores, and nine freshman.
•Guard Megan Fannin is the Cougars' lead scorer, averaging 15.7 points per game while shooting 40 percent from the field and behind the arc, and leads the team at the free throw line, shooting at a 89 percent clip.
•Guard Dallie Hoskinson is third on the team in scoring at 8.8 ppg and leads the team with 7.2 rpg.
•Sioux Falls is shooting 43 percent from the field, 32 percent from 3-point range, and 76 percent from the free throw line.
•The Cougars average 72 points per game, while opponents average 62 points per game.

    ABUK AKOI NOTES
•Named a 2021-22 NSIC "Player to Watch."
•Has started all 11 games.
•Averaging 9.1 points and a team-high 5.3 rebounds per game while leading the team with 25 assists and 23 blocks.
•Second on the Mustangs in three point percentage, shooting 45 percent from deep.
•Recorded a double-double, scoring 11 points and a season-high 12 rebounds while adding six blocks and making a carer-high three 3-pointers on six attempts against Augustana (Dec. 4).
•Holds school record with 210 career blocked shots
•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 nine of 11 games.
•Averaging 2.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.
•Ranks 12th in school history in free throw percentage (77.7).

    PEYTON BLANDIN NOTES
•Has appeared in nine of 11 games this season.
•Has totaled three points and six rebounds.

    JENNA BORCHERS NOTES
•Has started all 11 games.
•Averaging 9.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.1 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 (162).
•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 four games this season totaling 11 minutes.
•Scored two points and grabbed four rebounds vs. Upper Iowa (12/11/21).
•Made 3-pointer vs. Upper Iowa (1/17/21).
•One of two redshirt freshmen on the roster.

    OLIVIA DRUMMER NOTES
•Has played in six games this season totaling 11  minutes, one point, one rebounds, and one assist.
•Scored career-high five points at Minot State (1/17/20).

    MADISON GEHLOFF NOTES
•Has played in each game this season.
•Averaging 5.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game on 58.7 percent shooting.
•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 10 of 11 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 3.9 points and 3.6 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 ten games this season.
•Named NSIC South Division Player of the Week (11/15/21).
•Averaging a team-high 14.4 points and 4.8 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 1,273 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 (130).
•All-NSIC South first team last season.
•Two-time second team All-NSIC honoree.

    LILY SCHOKNECHT NOTES
•Appeared in each game this season.
•Averaging 1.5 points per game and 0.8 rebounds per game while knocking down both three-pointers she has attempted.
•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 each game this season.
•Second on the team with 12.8 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game and 23 assists.
•Leads the team with 13 steals
•Recorded her second double-double of the season with 16 points and tied a career-high with 10 rebounds against Wayne State (12/2/21).
•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 third in team history in 3-pointers made (171) and is fifth in free throw pct. (82.4).
•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 2.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.
•Scored career-high seven points in 18 minutes against Augustana (12/4/21).

    SAM WALL NOTES
•Has played in each game this season while starting one game.
•Averaging 8.9 points per game and leads the team with 22 3-pointers made on 50 percent shooting.
•Was an NSIC Top Performer after her weekend Dec. 10-11, scoring 23 points in 25 minutes off the bench in two games.

    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 11-30 all-time in overtime games, including 0-1 in 2021-22 after losing at Wayne State 69-65.
•SMSU is 3-4 in double overtime games.    

    HOME AND AWAY    
•SMSU has started this season 4-1 at home after finishing 6-2 in 2020-21 and 7-5 in 2019-20
•SMSU is off to a 3-3 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    4-1    42.0    34.0    72.0    38.8    71.4    12.4
Away    3-3     38.3    27.8    82.5    39.7    69.8    17.7

    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 165-160 (.508) in 325 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 260-403 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 1,312 games compiling an all-time record of 626-686.
•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.