THIS WEEKEND 

•The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (12-12, 9-11 NSIC) welcome MSU Moorhead (9-13, 8-10) to the R/A Facility for the first round of the NSIC tournament.

•The first round match-up is set for a 6 p.m. tip-off.

•Although SMSU (9-11 NSIC) finished in fifth place in the South division, they were awarded home court for having a better conference record than MSU Moorhead (8-10).

•The winner will take on the top-ranked team from the South division, Minnesota State on Saturday at 7 p.m. 

•The complete 2022 NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament bracket can be found on page 20.

    BROADCAST INFO 

•The game will be broadcast on 107.5 FM The Fan with Anthony Rohlik. 

•Live stats, radio broadcast and video broadcast can be found at SMSUmustangs.com.

    SMSU ALL-TIME IN THE NSIC TOURNAMENT  

•Since the NSIC Tournament started in 2000, SMSU is 8-16 all-time with one championship title in 2002.

•SMSU has lost its last 14 NSIC Tournament games with its last victory coming in the quarterfinals in 2003 

•SMSU has advanced to the semifinals four times and played in the first three championship games (2000, 2001, 2002).

•The Mustangs are 4-1 at home, 0-11 on the road and 4-4 in neutral site tournament games. 

•Game-by-game history can be found on page 4.

               

    OPENING TIPS

•Sadie Stelter made her 191st career three-pointer on Saturday, Feb. 19 against Augustana, breaking the program record for most career three-pointers made.  

•With three blocks over the weekend, Abuk Akoi has upped her total to 65 blocks on the season, ranking 11th in the nation, while her 2.71 blocks per game is also good for ninth, and her 59 blocks in conference play rank third in the NSIC. 

•Her 11 blocks on Friday, Feb. 4 were tied for the most in a DII game since Mar. 6, 2019. 

•Akoi also moved into fourth in program history in rebounds with 737.

•The Mustangs have excelled from the charity stripe this season, ranking 34th in the nation in free throw percentage, shooting 76.2 percent on the season.

•SMSU is holding opponents to just 37.6 percent shooting in league play, ranking second in the NSIC. 

•The Mustangs have also cleaned the defensive glass throughout the season, ranking 24th in the nation with 29.3 defensive rebounds per game.

•Their 39.0 rebounds per game in league play rank third in the NSIC, while their 29.4 defensive rebounds per game rank second.

•Meleah Reinhart holds the program record with 116 career starts, while ranking seventh in scoring with 1,485 points.

•Her 83.3 free-throw percentage in league play is the best in the NSIC, and 81.7 percentage in her career ranks fifth in program history. 

•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.

•SMSU made all 18 of their free throws on Jan. 22 against Bemidji State, breaking a program record for most free throws made without a miss, beating the previous record of 17, set exactly one year ago from Saturday, Jan. 22, 2021 against Minnesota State

    LAST WEEKEND

•The Mustangs dominated the first three quarters of the game to down Wayne State 72-50 to clinch an NSIC tournament berth inside the R/A Facility on Thursday night.

•SMSU would double up the Wildcats in the first (24-12) and third (18-9) quarters, shooting 50 percent in both quarters, while winning the second quarter 17-11 in the victory. 

• SMSU had three players in double figures, with Sadie Stelter scoring a game-high 18 points with four rebounds and two steals to lead the way. Sam Wall would light it up from deep, scoring 12 points on 4 of 5 shooting from three, and Jenna Borchers would add 10 points in a team-high 23 minutes. Bri Stoltzman would lead the way on the glass, securing a career-high nine rebounds and dishing a career-high four assists, While Madison Gehloff would add six rebounds along with six points. Abuk Akoi would hand out a team-high six assists, scoring four points and adding two steals. 

•The Mustangs would be outscored 22-11 in the fourth quarter, leading to a 74-64 loss at the hands of Augustana in the regular season finale on Saturday afternoon inside the Sanford Pentagon.

• The Mustangs ended the night shooting 36.8 percent (21 of 57), but would commit 23 turnovers, including 10 in the first quarter to suffer their ninth consecutive road loss. Augie shot 39.4 percent (26 of 66) from the field and just 21.7 percent (5 of 23) from behind the arc, but would outscore SMSU 18-7 off of turnovers.

•SMSU would have a pair of players in double figures, with Meleah Reinhart (15) and Stelter (14) leading the team in scoring. Stelter would finish with a team-high seven rebounds, and would break the program-record for made three-pointers in a career, with Gehloff (6) and Akoi (5) each recording at least five rebounds. 

    ABOUT SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE

•Senior guard Meleah Reinhart is leading the Mustangs in scoring with 14.7 ppg and in free throw percentage, shooting at an 84.2 percent clip.

•Senior guard Sadie Stelter is second on the team with 12.8 ppg and 5.5 rpg while leading the team with 30 steals, and is third on the team with 41 assists.

•Senior center Abuk Akoi leads the team in blocks with 65 and rebounding with 5.5 a game, and assists with 52, all while shooting a 43 percent from the field and 37 percent from behind the arc.

•Sophomore guard Sam Wall leads the team with 44 three-pointers made on 41 percent shooting from deep.  

•Wall has added spark off the bench this season, recording 7.8 ppg on 38 percent shooting in 20 mpg. 

•Jenna Borchers is second on the team with 48 assists and is second on the team shooting 83.3 percent from the free throw line. 

•SMSU is averaging 66 ppg while opponents are averaging 65 ppg. SMSU has a plus-1.5 rebounding margin.

•SMSU is shooting 38 percent from the field, 30 percent from the 3-point line, and 76 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 57-90 record, including 43-77 in NSIC play. 

•Webb is 149-213 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.

    MSU MOORHEAD SERIES HISTORY

•SMSU and MSU Moorhead will meet for the 86th time with MSUM holding a 44-41 advantage in a series that started in 1973.

•The teams did not match-up last season

•The teams last played in the 2019-20 season with SMSU winning 66-61 on its home floor on Feb. 7, 2020.

•MSUM won nine consecutive match-ups leading up to the previous meeting.

•SMSU is 24-13 in Marshall all-time, with MSUM winning three of the last four.

•SMSU head coach Tom Webb is 1-5 all-time versus MSUM.

•Full series history can be found on page 19.

    MSU MOORHEAD NOTES  

•The Dragons went 2-0 to close the regular season, defeating UMary 76-73 in overtime at home before winning 71-64 at Minot State.

•The Dragons finished the season 9-13 overall and 8-10 in the NSIC, finishing fourth in the North division.

•MSUM was picked to finish eighth in the NSIC and fourth in the NSIC North.

•Head coach Karla Nelson is in her 22nd season at the helm for MSUM, compiling a 385-227 record. 

•The Dragons' 2021-22 squad features three seniors, three juniors, one sophomore, and six freshmen.

•Center Peyton Boom is the leading scorer for MSUM, averaging 15.9 points per game, shooting 52 percent from the field while leading the team with 13 blocks, and 7.1 rebounds per game. 

•Guard Natalie Steichen paces the offense for the Dragons, Leading the team with 84 total assists and is second on the team with 5.6 rebounds per game. She also scores 5.6 points per game. 

•MSUM is shooting 38 percent from the field, 27 percent from 3-point range, and 67 percent from the free throw line.

•The Dragons average 61 points per game, while opponents average 64 points per game.

    ABUK?AKOI?NOTES

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

•Has started all 24 games.

•Averaging 8.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while leading the team with 65 blocks.

•Shooting 43 percent from the field and 37 percent from deep. 

•Shattered her own program record, recording 11 blocks while adding 10 rebounds against Minnesota State (2/4/22)

•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 (12/4/21).

•Holds school record with 249 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).

    ERIN BAXTER?NOTES

•Has started 21 of 24 games.

•Averaging 2.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
 

    PEYTON BLANDIN?NOTES

•Has appeared in 16 of 21 games this season.

•Has totaled three points and eight rebounds.

    JENNA BORCHERS NOTES

•Has started all 24 games.

•Averaging 7.7 points, 3.4 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 third in program history with 182 3-pointers 

•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.

•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 ten games this season totaling 24  minutes, one point, four 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 4.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game on 46 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 19 of 24 games this season.

•Has scored 14 points while collecting 12 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 3.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.

•Scored career-high 14 points against Concordia-St. Paul (2/5/22) and six rebounds vs. Augustana (2/6/21).

•One of two redshirt freshmen on the roster.

    MELEAH REINHART NOTES 

•Has started 23 games this season.

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

•Averaging a team-high 14.7 points while adding 4.9 rebounds per game 

•Second on the team with 26 steals.

•Secured her first double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds against Minnesota State (2/4/22)

•Scored a season-high 27 points 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 1,485 career points ranking seventh in program history. 

•Ranks fifth in program history in free throw percentage (81.7) and ninth in 3-point field goals (139).

•All-NSIC South first team last season.

•Two-time second team All-NSIC honoree.
 

    LILY SCHOKNECHT NOTES 

•Appeared in 22 of 24 games this season.

•Averaging 1.2 points per game and 1.1 rebounds per game while knocking down four of six three pointers.

•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 and  5.5 rebounds per game.

•Leads the team with 30 steals.

•Scored career-high 25 points vs. Minnesota Crookston (1/21/22).

•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 first in team history in 3-pointers made (191) and is seventh in free throw pct. (80.0).

•Led the team with 41 assists last season.

    BRI STOLTZMAN NOTES 

•Has appeared in each game this season.

•Averaging 2.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.

•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 7.8 points per game and leads the team with 44 3-pointers made on 41 percent shooting from deep.

•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 12-30 all-time in overtime games, including 1-1 in 2021-22 after defeating Concordia-St. Paul 94-85 in double overtime. 

•SMSU is 4-4 in double OT games.    

    HOME AND AWAY     

•SMSU is 9-3 at home this season after finishing 6-2 in 2020-21 and 7-5 in 2019-20

•SMSU is 3-9 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    9-3    40.2    34.7    78.3    41.5    70.6    14.8

Away    3-9     35.9    23.8    74.4    35.9    61.9    15.8

    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 170-162 (.512) in 332 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 265-411 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 1,325 games compiling an all-time record of 631-694.

•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.

    NSIC TOURNAMENT RESULTS

2000    BEMIDJI STATE    W, 90-69

2000    vs Northern State    W, 70-53

2000      vs. Minnesota Duluth    L, 57-83    Championship

2001    MINNESOTA MORRIS    W, 93-47

2001    vs Wayne State    W, 78-59                

2001    vs. Minnesota Duluth    L, 49-53    Championship

2002    MINNESOTA MORRIS    W, 87-22

2002    vs MSU Moorhead    W, 84-57                

 2002     vs. Minnesota Duluth    W, 63-48    Championship

2003    WAYNE STATE    W, 67-54

 2003    vs. Minnesota Duluth    L, 65-69

 2004    at Concordia-St. Paul    L, 56-68

 2005    WAYNE STATE    L, 58-68

 2006    at Concordia-St. Paul    L, 62-91

 2007    at Concordia-St. Paul    L, 56-68

 2008    at Concordia-St. Paul    L, 50-66

 2013    at St. Cloud State    L, 47-72

 2014    at Northern State    L, 45-73

 2015    at Northern State    L, 42-77

 2016    at Northern State    L, 52-79

 2017    at MSU Moorhead    L, 35-71

 2018    at MSU Moorhead    L, 53-70

 2019    at Minnesota Duluth    L, 57-87

 2020    at UMary    L, 74-84

                BOLD indicates home game