THIS WEEKEND 

•The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (8-6, 5-5 NSIC) return home for a pair of match-ups against North division opponents, hosting Minnesota Crookston on Jan. 21 at 5:30 p.m. before welcoming Bemidji State to the R/A Facility at 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 22.

    BROADCAST INFO 

•The games 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

•Meleah Reinhart started her 106th game on Friday, moving within two starts of the most in program history. 

•Reinhart also ranks 10th in scoring with 1,325 points.

•Sadie Stelter made her 178th career three-pointer on Friday, moving into sole possession of second place in program history, and is 12 made threes from tying the school record. 

•With a block on Friday, Abuk Akoi has tallied 29 blocks on the season, ranking 21st in the nation, and her 2.07 blocks per game average ranks 26th. 

•Akoi ranks eighth in program history in rebounds with 675, nine behind seventh.

•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 WEEKEND

•The Northern State Wolves defeated the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs 74-64 behind a balanced scoring attack that would see all five starters score in double figures on Friday night in Wachs Arena.

•SMSU couldn't find their stroke from deep, shooting 12.5 percent (3 of 24) from range, while NSU would finish shooting 50 percent (6 of 12) from three. 

•SMSU ended the night shooting 35.2 percent (19 of 54) from the field and 48 percent (12 of 25) from the free throw line in the loss. Northern State shot 45.9 percent (28 of 61) from the field and 70.6 percent (12 of 17) from the free throw line in the victory. 

• Abuk Akoi would lead the Mustangs offensively, picking up 13 points on 6 of 13 shooting while adding three rebounds. Sadie Stelter scored 12 points, leading the team with six rebounds and three assists in defeat. Meleah Reinhart also scored in double figures, scoring 12 points while adding five rebounds.

    ABOUT SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE

•Senior guard Meleah Reinhart is leading the Mustangs in scoring with 13.6 ppg.

•Senior guard Sadie Stelter is second on the team with 12.1 ppg and leads the team with 5.3 rpg, while being tied for the team lead with 32 assists.

•Senior center Abuk Akoi leads the team in blocks with 29 and assists with 32 while shooting a 51 percent from the field, 46 percent from behind the arc, and 88 percent from the free throw line.

•Sophomore guard Sam Wall leads the team with 27 three-pointers made on 45 percent shooting from deep.  

•Wall has added spark off the bench this season, recording 8.6 ppg on 44 percent shooting in 19.2 mpg. 

•SMSU is averaging 69 ppg while opponents are averaging 66 ppg. SMSU has a plus-1.3 rebounding margin.

•SMSU is shooting 39 percent from the field, 30 percent from the 3-point line, and 75 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 53-84 record, including 39-71 in NSIC play. 

•Webb is 145-207 overall in his 14th season as head coach at the Division II level after compiling a record of 92-123 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.

    MINNESOTA CROOKSTON HISTORY

•SMSU and Minnesota Crookston will meet for the 35th time with the Mustangs holding a 21-13 advantage in a series that started in 1996. 

•The teams did not match up last season

•The teams met once during the 2019-20 season, with UMC winning 64-53 on Jan. 31, 2020 in Crookston. 

•UMC has won 11 of 15 match-ups since 2008.

•SMSU won the first 12 meetings between the teams

•SMSU is 10-7 at home in the series.

•SMSU head coach Tom Webb is 2-2 all-time versus UMC. 

•Full series history can be found on page 19.

    BEMIDJI STATE HISTORY

•SMSU and Bemidji State will meet for the 78th time with SMSU holding a 43-34 advantage in a series that started in 1977. 

•The teams did not match up last season

•The teams last matched up in the 2019-20 season, with SMSU winning 69-58 In Bemidji on Feb. 1, 2020.

•SMSU has won three consecutive match-ups.

•SMSU is 25-12 at home in the series.

•SMSU head coach Tom Webb is 3-1 all-time versus BSU. 

•Full series history can be found on page 20.

    MINNESOTA CROOKSTON NOTES  

•UMC did not play last weekend

•The Golden Eagles come into the weekend 1-14 on the season and 0-9 in conference play.

•UMC was picked to finish 15th in the NSIC and seventh in the NSIC North.

•Head coach Mike Roysland is in his 16th season at the helm for UMC, holding a 132-281 record at the program. 

•The Golden Eagles' 2021-22 squad features three seniors, four juniors, four sophomores, and three freshmen.

•Guard Kylie Post is the leading scorer for UMC, averaging 10.3 points per game on 51 percent shooting from the field while adding 4.1 rebounds per game.

•Forward Abi Fraaza is second on the team in both scoring and rebounding, adding 10.2 points per game while collecting 5.4 rebounds per game.

•UMC is shooting 37 percent from the field, 28 percent from 3-point range, and 70 percent from the free throw line.

•The Golden Eagles average 55 points per game, while opponents average 66 points per game.

    BEMIDJI STATE NOTES  

•The Beavers went 1-1 last weekend, falling on the road to Minnesota State 72-68 before defeating Concordia-St. Paul 82-71 in the Gangloff Center

•The Beavers come into the weekend 9-6 on the season and 7-4 in conference play.

•BSU was picked to finish sixth in the NSIC and third in the NSIC North.

•Head coach Chelsea DeVille is in her seventh season at the helm for BSU, compiling a 52-115 record. 

•The Beavers' 2021-22 squad features five seniors, seven juniors, one sophomore, and eight freshmen.

•Forward Rachael Heittola is the leading scorer for BSU, averaging 15.3 points per game on 50 percent shooting from the field while grabbing a team-high 7.1 rebounds.

•Guard Trinity Yoder is second on the team in both scoring (11.9 ppg) and rebounding (5.7 rpg).

•BSU is shooting 45 percent from the field, 36 percent from 3-point range, and 66 percent from the free throw line.

•The Beavers average 70 points per game, while opponents average 63 points per game.

    ABUK AKOI NOTES

•Named a 2021-22 NSIC "Player to Watch."

•Has started all 14 games.

•Averaging 9.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while leading the team with 32 assists and 29 blocks.

•Leads the Mustangs in three point percentage, shooting 46 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 (12/4/2021).

•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 11 of 14 games.

•Averaging 2.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.

    PEYTON BLANDIN NOTES

•Has appeared in 12 of 14 games this season.

•Has totaled three points and eight rebounds.

    JENNA BORCHERS NOTES

•Has started all 13 games.

•Averaging 8.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.3 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 11th in team history in 3-point field goal percentage (36.9) and fourth in 3-pointers made (171).

•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 seven games this season totaling 16  minutes, one point, three rebounds, and two assists.

•Scored career-high five points at Minot State (1/17/20).

    MADISON GEHLOFF NOTES 

•Has played in each game this season, starting three of them.

•Averaging 4.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game on 57 percent shooting.

•Totaled a career-high 10 rebounds against UMary (1/18/22).

•Scored a career-high 20 points with eight field goals at Augustana (1/3/20).

    KENZIE JONES NOTES 

•Has appeared in 13 of 14 games this season.

•Has scored 12 points while collecting 10 rebounds

•Played a career-high 15 minutes, totaling four points and four rebounds against Sioux Falls (1/2/22)

•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 3.7 points and 3.1 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 13 games this season.

•Named NSIC South Division Player of the Week (11/15/21).

•Averaging a team-high 13.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game 

•Second on the team with 16 steals.

•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 1,325 career points ranking 10th in program history. 

•Ranks sixth in program history in free throw percentage (81.3) and ninth in 3-point field goals (131).

•All-NSIC South first team last season.

•Two-time second team All-NSIC honoree.

    LILY SCHOKNECHT NOTES 

•Appeared in 12 of 14 games this season.

•Averaging 1.3 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 12.1 points per game, leads the team with 5.3 rebounds per game, and is tied for the team lead with 32 assists.

•Leads the team with 17 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 second in team history in 3-pointers made (178) and is eighth in free throw pct. (79.9).

•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 3.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.

•Third on the team with 13 steals.

•Scored career-high nine points in 16 minutes against UMary (1/8/22).

    SAM WALL NOTES 

•Has played in each game this season while starting one game.

•Averaging 8.6 points per game and leads the team with 27 3-pointers made on 45 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 5-2 at home after finishing 6-2 in 2020-21 and 7-5 in 2019-20

•SMSU is off to a 3-4 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    5-2    40.5    33.2    73.3    39.3    69.7    13.4

Away    3-4     38.2    24.8    76.5    38.4    69.0    17.1

    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 166-161 (.506) in 327 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 261-405 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 1,314 games compiling an all-time record of 627-687.

•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.