THIS WEEKEND 

•The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (13-12) travels to the Sanford Pentagon to battle Minnesota State (20-5) in the quarterfinals of the NSIC Tournament.

•The match-up is set for a 7 p.m. tip-off on Saturday, Feb. 26.

•SMSU is coming off of their first NSIC tournament victory since 2003, and will play their first ever tournament game inside the Pentagon. 

•The winner will take on the winner of N2 Minnesota Duluth and N6 UMary on Monday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m.

•The complete 2022 NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament bracket can be found on page 22.

    BROADCAST INFO 

•The game will be on MidcoSN, and will also be streamed on the NSIC Network  

•The game will be broadcast on 105.1 FM The Fan with Ryan 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 9-16 all-time with one championship title in 2002.

•SMSU had lost its last 14 NSIC Tournament games before Wednesday's victory over MSUM 

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

•The Mustangs are 5-1 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.

    REINHART TABBED ALL-NSIC SECOND TEAM

•Meleah Reinhart was been named All-NSIC second team as selected by the leagues head coaches. 

•It's the fourth time Reinhart has earned All-NSIC honors in her career after earning All-NSIC South Division first team honors last season and All-NSIC second team accolades in both 2018-19 and 2019-20.

•A 5-foot-9, guard from New Ulm, Minn., Reinhart has led SMSU in scoring with 14.6 points per game which included 21 double figure scoring games. She scored 20 or more points five times, including a season-high 27 on Nov. 13, 2021 against Nebraska-Kearney en route to earning NSIC South Player of the Week honors on Nov. 15, 2021. Reinhart also shined the weekend of Feb. 4-Feb. 5, averaging 22.5 points and 10 rebounds while recording her first career double-double against Minnesota State (Feb. 4).

               

    OPENING TIPS

•Meleah Reinhart holds the program record with 117 career starts, and after 13 points on Wednesday, moved to fifth in scoring with 1,498 points.

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

•Sadie Stelter made her 191st career three-pointer on Saturday, Feb. 19 against Augustana, breaking the program record for most career three-pointers made. She now has 195 makes over the course of her career after four makes on Wednesday. 

•After Wednesday's game against MSUM, Stelter and Erin Baxter each moved within one game of tying the program record for games played (122).

•Not far behind Stelter, Jenna Borchers knocked down three three-pointers on Wednesday and ranks third in program history with 185 made three-pointers.

•With two blocks on Wednesday, Abuk Akoi has upped her total to 67 blocks on the season, ranking 12th in the nation, while her 2.68 blocks per game is also good for 10th, and her 59 blocks in conference play ranked 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 sits in fourth in program history in rebounds with 741.

•The Mustangs have excelled from the charity stripe this season, ranking 34th in the nation in free throw percentage, shooting 76.0 percent on the season.

•SMSU is held 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 29th in the nation with 29.0 defensive rebounds per game.

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

•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

    EARLIER THIS SEASON VERSUS MSU

•SMSU and MSU split their two match-ups during the regular season, with each team winning double digit home games.

•Box scores from both games can be found on pages 20-21.
 

    LAST TIME OUT

•The Southwest Minnesota State women's basketball team defeated Minnesota State University Moorhead 71-67 in the first NSIC Tournament game in Marshall since 2005 and first NSIC Tournament win since 2003 on Wednesday night inside the R/A Facility.   

•The Mustangs made 12 three-pointers on 41.4 percent shooting, while shooting 43.1 percent from the field (25-of-58). The Dragons would shoot 41.3 percent from field (26-of-63), while making six three-pointers on 37.5 percent shooting. The Mustangs would win the game from deep and on the strength of their bench, outscoring MSUM 18-7 off the bench in a game that was very even in most statistical categories.  

•Three Mustangs would reach double figures, led by Sadie Stelter, whose 20 points on 8 of 12 shooting and 4 of 6 from three led the team. Meleah Reinhart would finish with 13 points and a team-high eight rebounds, while Abuk Akoi would score 11 points with four rebounds and two blocks. Jenna Borchers scored nine points on 3 of 7 shooting from deep, adding a team-high three assists.  

    ABOUT SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE

•Senior guard Meleah Reinhart is leading the Mustangs in scoring with 14.6 ppg and in free throw percentage, shooting at an 83.7 percent clip.

•Senior guard Sadie Stelter is second on the team with 13.1 ppg and 5.4 rpg while leading the team with 30 steals, and is third on the team with 43 assists.

•Senior center Abuk Akoi leads the team in blocks with 67, rebounding with 5.5 a game, and assists with 54, all while shooting a 43 percent from the field and 37 percent from behind the arc.

•Sophomore guard Sam Wall leads the team with 45 three-pointers made on 40 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 52 assists and is second on the team shooting 80.4 percent from the free throw line. 

•SMSU is averaging 66 ppg while opponents are averaging 65 ppg. SMSU has a minus-0.1 rebounding margin.

•SMSU is shooting 38 percent from the field, 31 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 58-90 record, including 43-77 in NSIC play. 

•Webb is 150-213 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.

    MINNESOTA STATE HISTORY

•SMSU and Minnesota State will meet for the 67th time with MSU leading 44-22 in a series that started in 1970.

•Each team has a win head to head this season.

•The teams split a pair of meetings in Mankato last season, as  SMSU would win 75-66 on Jan. 22, 2021 before losing 68-61 on Jan. 23, 2021

•SMSU has won four of the last seven meetings since the 2018-19 season. 

•MSU had won 23 straight match-ups prior to that stretch, from 2004-05 until 2017-18.

•Tom Webb is 5-7 all-time versus Minnesota State.

•Full series history can be found on page 19.

    MINNESOTA STATE NOTES  

•The Mavericks received a bye after finishing first in the NSIC South

•Minnesota State comes into this weekend 20-5 on the season and finished 15-5 in conference play.

•MSU was picked to finish fourth in the NSIC and tie for second in the NSIC South.

•Head coach Emilee Thiesse is in her 10th season at the helm for Minnesota State, coming in with a 169-104 record.

•The Mavericks' 2021-22 squad features five seniors, one junior, five sophomores, and four freshmen.

•Guard Joey Batt is the Mavericks' lead scorer, averaging 15.3 points per game on 43 percent shooting while leading the team with 95 assists en route to All-NSIC first team honors. 

•Guard Destinee Bursch is second on the team in points per game (11.4) and assists (55), fourth in rebounds per game (3.6), and was named the NSIC Freshman of the Year.

•Minnesota State is shooting 42 percent from the field, 34 percent from 3-point range, and 69 percent from the free throw line.

•The Mavericks average 79 points per game, while opponents average 67 points per game.

    ABUK AKOI NOTES

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

•Has started all 25 games.

•Averaging 8.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while leading the team with 67 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 22 of 25 games.

•Averaging 2.7 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 25 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 3.8 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 24 games this season.

•All-NSIC second team selection.

•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 1,498 career points ranking fifth in program history. 

•Ranks fifth in program history in free throw percentage (81.6) and ninth in 3-point field goals (139).

•All-NSIC South first team last season.

    LILY SCHOKNECHT NOTES 

•Appeared in 23 of 25 games this season.

•Averaging 1.3 points per game and 1.2 rebounds per game while knocking down five of seven 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 13.1 points per game and  5.4 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 2.7 points and 2.5 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 45 3-pointers made on 40 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. 

    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 finished 10-3 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    10-3    40.4    35.3    77.7    40.8    70.6    14.3

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 171-162 (.514) in 333 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 1,326 games compiling an all-time record of 632-694.

•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

2022    MSU MOORHEAD    W, 71-67

                BOLD indicates home game