THE LOOK AHEAD
• The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (6-6, 5-2 NSIC) returns to action to open the New Year hosting three games inside the R/A Facility the first week of January.
• SMSU, which has won four straight games and last played on Dec. 16, will face Martin Luther College (3-8) on Tuesday, Jan. 2, with game time slated for 5:30 p.m. MLC is a Division III school and is a member of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC). The game is an exhibition for the Knights and will not count on their overall record. MLC last played on Dec. 13, earning an 88-76 victory over Buena Vista University.
• SMSU will return to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play on Friday, Jan. 5, taking on Bemidji State University (3-7, 0-6 NSIC) with game time at 7:30 p.m., before closing the weekend with a 5:30 p.m. match-up versus St. Cloud State University (7-3, 4-2 NSIC).  
• A preview for all three teams can be found on page 3.

    GAME COVERAGE
• All games will be broadcast on 105.1 FM KARL with Ryan Rohlik providing play-by-play.
• Live stats, radio and video broadcasts of all games can be found at SMSUmustangs.com.

    MARTIN LUTHER SERIES HISTORY
• SMSU and MLC will meet for the 27th time with the Mustangs holding a 17-9 edge in a series that started in 1969-70. The teams met every season from 1969-70 to 1982-83.
• SMSU has won 11 straight in the series with the last meeting occurring during the 1982-83 season.
• SMSU has played five of the current eight members of the UMAC in program history, including defeating Bethany Lutheran College earlier this season in Marshall.
• SMSU is 43-19 all-time versus Minnesota Morris with most of the games occurring when UMM was a member of the NSIC from 1979-2003. SMSU is 1-0 versus Bethany, 2-0 versus Crown, and 2-0 versus North Central.
•Game-by-game results of the series is located on page 16.

    BEMIDJI STATE SERIES HISTORY
• SMSU and BSU will meet for the 80th time with SMSU leading 44-35 in a series that began in 1977-78.
• SMSU have won four of the previous five meetings, including last season's lone meeting, 69-64, in Bemidji.
• SMSU is 25-13 all-time in games played in Marshall and has won eight of the last nine, but BSU won the last game in Marshall, 70-67, on Jan. 22, 2022.
•SMSU head coach Tom Webb is 4-2 all-time versus BSU.
•Game-by-game results of the series is located on page 17.

    ST. CLOUD STATE SERIES HISTORY
• SMSU and SCSU will meet for the 60th time with the Huskies leading 42-17 in a series that started in 1969-70.
• The teams split two games last season with SCSU winning in overtime in Marshall, before SMSU snapped a 15-game losing streak in the series with a 76-68 win in the NSIC Tournament quarterfinals.  
• The Mustangs are 9-18 all-time at home in the series and last defeated the Huskies in Marshall on Jan. 25, 2010.
• SMSU head coach Tom Webb is 1-6 all-time versus SCSU.
• Game-by-game results of the series is located on page 18.

    SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB
• Tom Webb is in his eighth season as head coach with an 83-108 record, including 62-87 in NSIC play.
• Webb is 174-231 overall in his 15th 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.).
• In 2022-23, SMSU advanced to the NSIC semifinals for the fourth time in program history and first time since 2003.
• The team finished with 19 victories a season ago, tying for fifth most in program history, and highest total since 2004-05.
• SMSU also recorded a top three finish in the NSIC South last season, best in the division era, while earning a top four finish in the NSIC regular season standings for the first time since 2004-05.
• Webb's complete bio is found on page 16.

    MUSTANG TIP-OFF TIDBITS
• SMSU's last five-game winning streak came last season from Nov. 15-Dec. 1, while the program's last six-game winning streak occurred during the 2009-10 season. The last time SMSU won seven straight came during the first seven games of the 2004-05 campaign.
• SMSU won four straight games heading into the holiday break, including rallying to defeat Augustana on the road, 76-66, on Dec. 16. The Mustangs trailed by as many as 14 points in the second quarter. Bri Stoltzman led the Mustangs with 19 points on 8 of 16 shooting. Madison Gehloff added 15 points and seven rebounds.
• SMSU cruised past Sioux Falls in its last home game in December, 86-61, on Dec. 14. SMSU shot 50 percent from the field and had four players score in double figures. Stoltzman poured in a team-high 15 points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. Sam Wall drilled four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points.
• SMSU has shot 50 percent or higher this season three times, including two of its last three games.
• SMSU dished out a season-high 18 assists in the victory over Sioux Falls on Dec. 14.
• Stoltzman ranks third in team history in field goal pct. (51.8, 269 of 519).
 
    MUSTANGS BY THE NUMBERS
• For the season, SMSU has two players averaging double figures in scoring, and six averaging over eight points per game. Junior Bri Stoltzman leads the way at 19.2 ppg while leading the team in both rebounding at 7.1 per game and assists with 31.
• Senior Sam Wall is averaging 11.7 ppg and shooting 88 percent from the foul line. She leads the team with 25 3-pointers.
• Senior Madison Gehloff is scoring 9.8 ppg and is second on the team with 27 free throw makes.
• Junior Kenzie Jones is tied for second on the team with 19 3-pointers and is averaging 8.5 ppg. Junior Peyton Blandin and senior Hannah Parsley round out the SMSU top scorers, both averaging 8.4 ppg.
• SMSU is shooting 41 percent from the field, 33 percent from 3-point range, 76 percent from the free throw line and is minus-0.8 in rebound margin. The Mustangs are averaging 72 points per game, while opponents are averaging 72 ppg.

    SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS   
• In the latest Division II national statistics (Dec. 19), SMSU ranks ninth in 3-pointers per game (8.6), 11th in 3-point field goals attempts (26.3), 47th in free throw pct. (75.5) and 64th in turnovers per game (14.8).
• Bri Stoltzman ranks 11th in field goals (83), 17th scoring (19.2) and 50th in free throws made (50).
• Sam Wall ranks 33rd in 3-point field goal attempts (76) and 59th in 3-point field goals made (25).
• SMSU in the latest NCAA stats can be found on page 15.

    STONE COLD STOLTZMAN
• Bri Stoltzman recorded a career-high 36 points on 13 of 23 shooting in a loss to Northwest Missouri State on Nov. 10. She recorded her second 30-point game of her career with 31 points on 9 of 18 shooting in the win over No. 19 Minnesota Duluth on Dec. 9.
• Stoltzman is leading the team in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals. She also has made a team-high 47 free throws on 61 attempts.

    KEEP THE WALL ROLLING
• Sam Wall set the program record for 3-pointers made in a single-season last season with 77.
• Wall ranks fourth all-time in 3-pointers made in program history with 188 in 110 games. She is three away from moving into third place all-time and passing Michelle Bruns (2001-05).
• The senior guard also ranks fifth in free throw percentage at .822 (143 of 174) and is ninth in 3-point field goal percentage at .378 (188 of 497).

    PEYTON BLANDIN NOTES
• Has started every game and is averaging 8.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, and is tied for second on the team in 3-pointers with 19.
• Scored a career-high 17 points vs. Northwest Missouri State (11/10/23).

    KENNADI BUCHHOLZ NOTES
• Has played in seven games recording 15 points and nine rebounds.
• Scored season-high six points vs. Bethany (11/27/23).
• Recorded her first double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 13 rebounds last season vs. Crown College (11/15/22).

    BRYNN BUSSE NOTES
• Has played in nine games and has scored a season-high three points in two games.
• Has recorded nine points, five rebounds, and three steals.

    ZOIE CENTERS NOTES
• Has played in five games and scored a season-high three points vs. Sioux Falls (12/14/23).
• Tallied seven points, nine rebounds, and five assists in 18 games last season.

    MADISON GEHLOFF NOTES
• Has started all 12 games and is averaging 9.8 ppg and 4.8 rpg.
• Scored season-high 18 points on 7 of 14 shooting at Winona State (12/1/23).  
• Last season, tied a career-high with 20 points against Northwest Missouri State (11/11/22).
• Career-high 13 rebounds and five assists against Sioux Falls (11/22/22).

    KENZIE JONES NOTES
• Has played in every game with eight starts and is averaging 8.5 ppg and 3.0 rpg and is tied for second on the team in 3-pointers with 19.
• Scored a career-high 14 points with four 3-pointers at Michigan Tech (11/16/23).

    HANNAH PARSLEY NOTES
• Has played in 11 games with four starts and is averaging 8.4 ppg and 5.2 rpg. Missed one game with an injury.
• Scored season-high 15 points at Wayne State (11/21/23).
• Career-high five steals vs. Nebraska-Kearney (11/11/23).
• Scored career-high 19 points vs. Sioux Falls (11/22/22).
• Recorded a career-high nine rebounds vs. MSU Moorhead (1/13/23).

    BRI STOLTZMAN NOTES
• Has started all 12 games and is averaging 19.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg, and has dished out a team-high 31 assists.
• Scored a career-high 36 points on 13 of 23 shooting and tied a career-high five assists vs. Northwest Missouri State (11/10/23).
• Scored 31 points with nine field goals vs. Minnesota Duluth (12/9/23).
• Named All-NSIC second team in 2022-23.

    AUDREY SWANSON NOTES
• Has played in eight games and has recorded 11 points,  two steals and seven rebounds
• Scored career-high seven points and grabbed six rebounds vs. Bethany (11/27/23).

    MADDIE THORFINNSON NOTES
• Has played in all 12 games and has scored six points, 2 rebounds, and three blocks.
• Scored six points vs. Nebraska-Kearney (11/11/23).
• Scored career-high 10 points vs. Augustana (12/1/22) last season.

    CHRISTINA WAGNER NOTES
• Has played in five games and has scored four points.
• Scored four points and recorded five rebounds with two steals vs. Bethany (11/27/23).

    ELIZABETH WAGNER NOTES
• Has played in 11 games and is averaging 3.2 ppg and 3.0 rpg.
• Scored a career-high eight points and pulled down six rebounds vs. Sioux Falls (12/14/23).

    SAM WALL NOTES
• Has started every game and is averaging 11.7 ppg and leads the team with 25 3-pointers.  
• Ranks fourth in team history with 188 3-pointers.
• Season-high 18 points at Wayne State (11/21/23).
• Scored a career-high 25 points on seven field goals and four 3-pointers last season at Minnesota State (12/17/22).
• Made a school single-season record 77 3-pointers last season.

    WORKING OVERTIME
• SMSU is 13-30 all-time in overtime games, including 1-1 last season after defeating MSU Moorhead 82-75 in overtime on Jan. 13, and suffering a loss to St. Cloud State 70-59 on Jan. 20.
• SMSU is 4-4 in double OT games.

    HOME AND AWAY    
• SMSU is 4-2 at home this season after finishing 11-4 at home in 2022-23 and 10-3 in 2021-22.
• The Mustangs are 2-4 in road/neutral site games this season after recording a 3-9 mark in road/neutral site games in 2022-23.
• The following is a statistical comparison of the Mustang team averages for home and away/neutral games in 2023-24:
    W-L    FG%    3-FG%    FT%    REB    PTS    TO
Home    4-2    44.0    37.9    74.8    38.2    81.5    12.5    
Away    2-4    37.6    27.1    76.5    34.3    63.3    17.2    

    SMSU ALL-TIME IN THE NSIC
• The 2023-24 campaign marks the 45th season SMSU has competed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
• SMSU has an all-time record of 284-421 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 55th season of women's basketball in 2023-24.
• SMSU has played 1,369 games compiling an all-time record of 657-712.
• SMSU has recorded 28 winning seasons, including the last three seasons. The 2019-20 squad that finished 16-12 was the program's first winning season since 2009-10.

    MARTIN LUTHER NOTES  
• 2023-24 Record: 3-8 overall, 0-2 UMAC
• Head Coach: Dan Gawrisch, ninth season, 64-141
• MLC last played in Dec. 13 defeating Buena Vista, 88-76.
• Jordyn Heckendorf leads the team in scoring at 13.3 ppg with a team-high 17 3-pointers and team-high 28 assists.
• Grace Kieselhorst ranks second in scoring at 11.2 ppg and has made 11 3-pointers.
• MLC is shooting 32 percent from the field, 26 percent from 3-point range, 63 percent from the free throw line and is minus-6.4 in rebound margin.
• The Knights are averaging 56 points per game, while opponents are averaging 72 ppg.

    BEMIDJI STATE NOTES  
• 2023-24 Record: 3-7 overall, 0-6 NSIC
• Head Coach: Chelsea Stoltenberg, 9th season, 68-147
• BSU closed the pre-holiday schedule with a 67-57 win over Valley City State on Dec. 19.  
• Alyssa Hill leads the team in scoring at 15.2 ppg with a team-high 61 field goals.
• Sam Pogatchnik is scoring 8.7 ppg ranking second on the club.
• Amme Sheforgen is scoring 7.0 ppg and leads the team with 5.8 rpg.
• BSU is shooting 39 percent from the field, 27 percent from 3-point range, 66 percent from the free throw line and is minus-5.8 in rebound margin. The Beavers are averaging 61 points per game, while opponents are averaging 65 ppg.

    ST. CLOUD STATE NOTES  
• 2023-24 Record: 7-3 overall, 4-2 NSIC
• Head Coach: Lori Fish, 16th season, 251-166 (SCSU) ; 20th season overall, 313-219
• SCSU, which closed the pre-holiday schedule with wins over UMary and Bemidji State, will play at Sioux Falls on Jan. 5 before facing SMSU.
• Jada Eggebrecht is scoring 12.8 ppg with 10 3-pointers to pace the Huskies.
• Jasmine Litt ranks second in scoring at 9.9 ppg and has made a team high 14 3-pointers.
• SCSU is shooting 41 percent from the field, 34 percent from 3-point range, 68 percent from the free throw line and is plus-0.8 in rebound margin.
• The Huskies are averaging 66 points per game, while opponents are averaging 57 ppg.

    SMSU ALL-TIME INSIDE THE R/A FACILITY
•The 2023-24 season marks the 28th year the R/A Facility has served as the home arena for SMSU women's basketball.
•SMSU has an all-time record of 185-167 (.525) in 352 games with 13 winning seasons.
SMSU in the R/A Facility
    Year    Overall    NSIC    Non
    1996-97    6-5     2-3     4-2
     1997-98    5-6     3-3    2-3
     1998-99     11-2    6-0     5-2
    1999-00    11-3     7-2    4-1
     2000-01     12-0     9-0    3-0
    2001-02     11-2    8-1     3-1
    2002-03     11-3     7-2    4-1
    2003-04     3-7     2-6     1-1
    2004-05      10-4     5-2     5-2
    2005-06     5-9     3-4     2-5    
    2006-07     5-8     3-6    2-2
     2007-08     5-9     2-7     3-2    
    2008-09     9-6     4-6     5-0    
    2009-10     10-5    6-4     4-1
    2010-11     6-7     5-6     1-1    
     2011-12    3-9     3-8     0-1    
     2012-13     2-10    1-10     1-0
    2013-14    3-9    2-9    1-0    
    2014-15     3-11    3-8    0-3
     2015-16    3-12    2-9     1-3
     2016-17    0-11     0-11     0-0
     2017-18    4-8     3-8     1-0
    2018-19    9-5    6-5    3-0
    2019-20    7-5    6-5    1-0    
    2020-21    6-2    4-2    2-0
    2021-22    10-3    8-2    2-1
    2022-23    11-4    8-4    3-0
    2023-24    4-2    3-0    1-2    
    Totals:     185-167    121-133    64-34