THE LOOK AHEAD
• The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (9-6, 7-2 NSIC) continues conference play on the road this Friday, Jan. 12, taking on Minnesota State University Moorhead (5-8, 5-3 NSIC) with game time at 7:30 p.m., before closing the weekend on Saturday with a 5:30 p.m. match-up versus Minot State University (4-13, 1-7 NSIC).
• SMSU, currently second in the NSIC standings, enters the weekend having won seven straight games and will be looking for its first eight-game winning streak since the 2001-02 season.
• A preview for MSUM and MSU 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.
 
MSU MOORHEAD SERIES HISTORY
• SMSU and MSUM will meet for the 88th time with MSUM leading 44-43 in a series that began in 1973-74.
• SMSU has won three of the four previous meetings, including last season's lone meeting, 82-75, in Marshall.
• MSUM is 30-14 all-time in games played in Moorhead and has won six of the last seven, with SMSU last winning in Moorhead on Jan. 3, 2012.
•SMSU head coach Tom Webb is 3-5 all-time versus MSUM.
•Game-by-game results of the series is located on page 16.
 
MINOT STATE SERIES HISTORY
• SMSU and MSU will meet for the 13th time with the Mustangs leading 7-5 in a series that started in 2011-12.
• SMSU won the lonely meeting last season 75-58 and have beaten the Beavers in four of the last five meetings.
• The Mustangs are 4-2 all-time on the road in the series and last defeated the Beavers in Minot on Jan. 7, 2023.
• SMSU head coach Tom Webb is 5-2 all-time versus MSU.
• Game-by-game results of the series is located on page 17.
 
SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB
• Tom Webb is in his eighth season as head coach with an 86-108 record, including 64-87 in NSIC play.
• Webb is 177-231 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 secured the program's first seven-game win streak since winning the first seven games of the 2004-05 campaign after defeating Bemidji State and St. Cloud State in NSIC play this past weekend. The Mustangs last eight-game and nine-game winning streaks came in the 2001-02 season, when the team won 11 of its final 12 games.
• SMSU used a fast-paced first half to outlast Bemidji State 86-72 in NSIC women's college basketball on Friday night. The Mustangs were led by junior Bri Stoltzman who posted her seventh 20-point scoring performance of her career, with 25 points on 7 of 17 shooting and a perfect 10 of 10 from the foul line. Stoltzman added seven rebounds and dished five assists in addition. Peyton Blandin scored 13 points in the affair on 5 of 11 shooting with three makes from deep.
• SMSU moved its winning streak to seven in a row, the program's longest in nearly 20 years, in earning a 79-55 victory over St. Cloud State on Saturday night.
• Bri Stoltzman led the Mustangs with a game-high 17 points on 8 of 16 shooting, while Sam Wall added 16 points on 6 of 13 shooting with three 3-pointers. Peyton Blandin also had a strong game with 14 points with three 3-pointers.
• SMSU continued its recent hot-shooting finishing the game shooting 54 percent (33 of 61) from the field including 9 of 26 from 3-point land.
• SMSU has shot 50 percent or higher five times this season, including four of its last six games.
• SMSU dished out a season-high 22 assists in the victory over Martin Luther on Jan. 2, 2024.
• Wall enters the weekend having scored 989 points in 113 career games and ranks third in team history with 195 3-pointers.
• Stoltzman ranks third in team history in field goal pct. (52.1, 290 of 561).
 
MUSTANGS BY THE NUMBERS
• For the season, SMSU has two players averaging double figures in scoring, and five averaging over eight points per game. Junior Bri Stoltzman leads the way at 19.2 ppg while leading the team in both rebounding at 6.7 per game and assists with 43.
• Senior Sam Wall is averaging 11.7 ppg and shooting 88 percent from the foul line. She leads the team with 32 3-pointers.
• Senior Madison Gehloff is scoring 9.3 ppg and is second on the team with 29 free throws made.
• Junior Peyton Blandin ranks second on the team with 27 3-pointers and is averaging 9.1 ppg with senior Hannah Parsley averaging 8.4 ppg. Junior Kenzie Jones is fourth on the team with 19 3-pointers and is scoring 7.3 ppg.
• SMSU is shooting 43 percent from the field, 35 percent from 3-point range, 76 percent from the free throw line and is plus-2.2 in rebound margin. The Mustangs are averaging 75 points per game, while opponents are averaging 69 ppg.
 
SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS  
• In the latest Division II national statistics (Jan. 8), SMSU ranks eighth in 3-pointers per game (8.9), 13th in 3-point field goals attempts (25.7), 33rd in scoring offense (75.0), 37th in free throw pct. (75.7) and 58th in turnovers per game (14.6).
• Bri Stoltzman ranks 10th in field goals (104), 17th scoring (19.2) and 43rd in free throws made (59).
• Sam Wall ranks 35th in 3-point field goals made (32) and 29th in 3-point field goal attempts (92).
• 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, steals and free throws made.
 
KEEP THE WALL ROLLING
• Sam Wall set the program record for 3-pointers made in a single-season last season with 77.
• Wall ranks third all-time in 3-pointers made in program history with 195 in 113 games. She is five away from moving into second place all-time and passing Sadie Stelter (2017-22).
• She also ranks fifth in free throw percentage at .823 (144 of 175) and is fifth in 3-point field goal percentage at .380 (195 of 513).
 
PEYTON BLANDIN NOTES
• Has started every game and is averaging 9.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, and is second on the team in 3-pointers with 27.
• Scored a career-high 17 points vs. Northwest Missouri State (11/10/23).
 
KENNADI BUCHHOLZ NOTES
• Has played in 10 games and is averaging 2.6 ppg and 1.8 rpg.
• Scored season-high six points vs. Bethany (11/27/23) and Martin Luther (1/2/24).
• Season-high nine rebounds vs. Martin Luther (1/2/24).
• 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 12 games and is averaging 1.4 ppg.
• Scored seven points on three field goals vs. Martin Luther (1/2/24).
 
ZOIE CENTERS NOTES
• Has played in seven 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 15 games and is averaging 9.3 ppg and 5.1 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).
• Recorded a career-high 13 rebounds and five assists against Sioux Falls (11/22/22).
 
KENZIE JONES NOTES
• Has played in 14 games with eight starts and is averaging 7.3 ppg and 2.6 rpg and is fourth 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 14 games with seven starts and is averaging 8.4 ppg and 5.1 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 15 games and is averaging 19.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, and has dished out a team-high 42 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 11 games and is averaging 2.6 ppg
• Scored career-high 16 points with four 3-pointers and grabbed five rebounds vs. Martin Luther (1/2/24).
 
MADDIE THORFINNSON NOTES
• Has played in all 15 games and has scored 20 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and four blocks.
• Scored season-high 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 eight 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 14 games and is averaging 4.4 ppg and 3.4 rpg.
• Scored a career-high 13 points and pulled down six rebounds vs. Martin Luther (1/2/24).
 
SAM WALL NOTES
• Has started every game and is averaging 11.7 ppg and leads the team with 32 3-pointers. 
• Ranks third in team history with 195 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 7-2 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  7-2       46.8     40.5     74.4     39.2     82.8     12.9    
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 286-421 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 1,372 games compiling an all-time record of 660-712.
• 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.
 
MSU MOORHEAD NOTES 
• 2023-24 Record: 5-8 overall, 5-3 NSIC
• Head Coach: Karla Nelson, 24th season, 399-241
• MSUM last played on Jan. 6 claiming a 64-49 road victory over Wayne State.
• Natalie Jens leads the team in scoring at 16.3 ppg with a team-high 75 field goals.
• Terryn Johnson is scoring 9.9 ppg ranking second on the club and leads the team with 4.5 rpg.
• Ashley Fritz is scoring 7.2 ppg and is second on the team with 3.8 rpg.
• MSUM is shooting 37 percent from the field, 32 percent from 3-point range, 72 percent from the free throw line and is plus-3.6 in rebound margin. The Dragons are averaging 61 points per game, while opponents are averaging 62 ppg.
 
MINOT STATE NOTES 
• 2023-24 Record: 4-13 overall, 1-7 NSIC
• Head Coach: Mike Brandt, 3rd season, 24-47 (MSU) ; 30th season overall, 531-342
• MSU will play Sioux Falls on Friday, Jan. 12 before facing SMSU on Saturday.
• Sydney Gustavsson is scoring 11.9 ppg with 19 3-pointers to pace the Beavers.
• Taylor Goss ranks second in scoring at 7.6 ppg and has made 29 free throws
• MSU is shooting 37 percent from the field, 28 percent from 3-point range, 66 percent from the free throw line and is minus-8.1 in rebound margin.
• The Beavers are averaging 58 points per game, while opponents are averaging 67 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 188-167 (.530) in 355 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           7-2       5-0       2-2      
            Totals        188-167  123-133   65-34