THE LOOK AHEAD
• The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team is set to begin play at home with one game on Saturday.
• The Mustangs play Division III opponent Augsburg on Saturday, Nov. 16, with tip-off set for 2 p.m.
• A preview for AU can be found on page 3. 

GAME COVERAGE 
• Saturday's game will be broadcast on 94.7 FM KKCK with Aaron Ziemer providing play-by-play.
• Live stats, radio, and video broadcasts of all games can be found at SMSUmustangs.com.

SERIES HISTORY
• Saturday will be the sixth meeting between AU and SMSU, with SMSU leading 5-0 in the all-time series.
• SMSU and AU last played in 1982, resulting in a 63-51 win for the Mustangs.
• The two teams have yet to play in this century.
• The Mustangs picked up a pair of wins over Division III opponents Martin Luther and Bethany Lutheran last season.
• SMSU is 48-4 all-time versus MIAC schools.

2024-25 SEASON OUTLOOK
• SMSU was picked to finish fourth in the annual 15-team Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.
• SMSU is coming off a 19-12 season and a fifth-place finish in the NSIC with a 15-7 league mark. The 19 victories ties the 2022-23 team for the highest win total since the 2004-05 season, while advancing to the NSIC tournament semifinals for the second straight season. The Mustangs return 10 letter winners and two starters from last season's team.
• SMSU guard Bri Stoltzman is one of three seniors on the team and was named a 'Player to Watch' in the NSIC this season. Stoltzman, a native of Mankato, Minn., was named All-NSIC first team last season after starting all 31 games and averaging a team-high 18.7 points per game with a program single-season record 579 points scored. The 18.7 points per game ranked 21st in Division II, while her 198 field goals made ranked 13th nationally. Stoltzman led the Mustangs in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals, and made a team-high 134 free throws—ranking 23rd in Division II. She scored in double figures in 28 games, including three 30-point games and 10 20-point games. She ranks fourth in team history with a 50.7 career field goal pct.
• Another SMSU senior is guard Peyton Blandin, who started all 31 games a season ago and averaged 8.4 ppg while connecting on 56 3-pointers. Blandin scored a career-high 17 points against Northwest Missouri State last season.
• The third SMSU senior is guard Kenzie Jones, who appeared in 15 games with eight starts, missing 16 games due to injury. Jones averaged 7.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, scoring a career-high 14 points a season ago versus Michigan Tech.
• Sophomore forward Elizabeth Wagner played in 30 games last season and averaged 3.6 ppg while ranking fourth on the team with 4.0 rpg. Junior forward Maddie Thorfinnson appeared in all 31 games adding 1.6 ppg and 1.4 rpg. Sophomore guard Brynn Busse appeared in 28 games and averaged 1.7 ppg and 1.2 rpg. Three juniors, guard Zoie Centers, forward Audrey Swanson, and center Kennadi Buchholz all played more than half the games last season in gaining valuable experience, while Christina Wagner appeared in 17 games with limited playing time.
• The 2024-25 roster also includes sophomore center Natalie Nielsen, a transfer from South Dakota State, as well as redshirt freshmen forward Brylee Iverson and guard Allison Milbrandt, and true freshmen guards Kadence Hesse and Nicole Maenke.

SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB
• Tom Webb is in his ninth season as head coach at SMSU with a 98-114 record, including 72-92 in NSIC play. 
• Webb is 189-237 overall in his 16th 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 2023-24, SMSU advanced to the NSIC semifinals for the fifth time in program history and the second consecutive season since 2003. 
• The team finished with 19 victories a season ago, tying for fifth most in program history and the highest total since 2004-05, tying the 2022-23 team. 
• SMSU also recorded a top-five finish in the NSIC last season posting a 15-7 league mark, the most conference wins since going 17-1 in NSIC play in the 2000-01 season.
• Webb's complete bio is found on page 15.

MUSTANG TIP-OFF TIDBITS
• In the current NSIC stats, SMSU leads the league in field goal pct. (48.6), blocked shots (12), and rebounding margin (10.0), while ranking second in scoring margin (10.5), and tied for third in scoring offense (77.5).
• Stoltzman leads the league in scoring (22.5) and field goal pct. (70.8), while Swanson ranks second in rebounding (9.5) and is tied for seventh in field goal pct. (50.2), and holds a share of the lead in free throw pct. (100). Nielsen leads the conference in blocks (8) and blocks per game (4.0) and holds a share of the lead for free throw pct. (100). 
• SMSU shot 50 percent versus Washburn (Kan.), after shooting 50 percent or higher eight times last season.
• SMSU dished out a season-high 18 assists in the victory over Central Oklahoma

MUSTANGS BY THE NUMBERS
• Through the first two games of the season, SMSU has four players averaging double figures in scoring, and five averaging over eight points per game. Bri Stoltzman leads the way at 22.5 ppg while leading the team in field goals made. 
• Peyton Blandin ranks second on the team averaging 14.5 ppg and is first with 11 made free throws. 
• Audrey Swanson averages 14.0 ppg and leads the team in rebounding with 8.0 ppg. Swanson shares the lead for steals with two.
• True freshman Nicole Maenke is fourth on SMSU with 13.0 ppg and leads the Mustangs with five 3-pointers.
• Natalie Nielsen averages 8.0 ppg and 4.0 bpg.
• SMSU is shooting 49 percent from the field, 31 percent from 3-point range, 76 percent from the free throw line, and is plus-10.0 in rebound margin. The Mustangs average 77 points per game.

SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS 
• In the latest Division II national statistics (Nov. 13), SMSU ranks No. 7 in free throws made per game (21), eighth in blocks per game (6.0), and 15th in field goal pct. (48.6), 31st in rebound margin (10.0), and 37th in scoring offense (77.5).
• Bri Stoltzman ranks 16th in scoring (22.5), and 23rd in field goal pct. (70.8), while Natalie Nielsen ranks second in blocks per game (4.00) and fourth in total blocks (8).
• SMSU in the latest NCAA stats can be found on page 16. 
 
PEYTON BLANDIN NOTES
• Started both games.
• Averaging 14.5 ppg and 3.0 rpg, ranks first on the team with 11 made free throws.
• Tied a career-high 17 points vs. Washburn (Kan.) on Nov. 8.

KENNADI BUCHHOLZ NOTES
• Has not played this season.
• Recorded her first double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 13 rebounds last season vs. Crown College (11/15/22). 

BRYNN BUSSE NOTES
• Appeared in one game.
• Scored seven points on three field goals vs. Martin Luther (1/2/24).

ZOIE CENTERS NOTES
• Appeared in one game.
• Tallied 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists last season.

KADENCE HESSE NOTES
• Appeared in both games, playing 16 minutes.
• Pulled down six rebounds and dished an assist.

BRYLEE IVERSON NOTES
• Appeared in one game, playing three minutes.
• Recorded an assist.

KENZIE JONES NOTES 
• Appeared in both games.
• Averaging 3.5 ppg, 3.5 apg, and 4.5 rpg.
• Scored a career-high 14 points with four 3-pointers at Michigan Tech (11/16/23).

NICOLE MAENKE NOTES
• Appeared in both games, playing 28.5 minutes per game.
• Averaging 13.0 ppg and 2.5 rpg as a true freshman.
• Leads SMSU with five 3-pointers, and scored a career-high 22 points on 6-of-7 shooting versus Central Oklahoma on Nov. 9.

NATALIE NIELSEN NOTES 
• Started both games, playing 23.5 minutes per game.
• Averaging 8.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, and 4.0 bpg, and leads SMSU shooting 100 percent from the free throw line.
• Leads the NSIC in blocks and blocks per game.
• Pulled down 11 blocks and swatted four blocks against Central Oklahoma on Nov. 9.

BRI STOLTZMAN NOTES 
• Started both games, playing 26.5 minutes per game.
• Leads SMSU averaging 22.5 ppg. Also averages 6.5 rpg and 2.0 apg.
• Recorded a season-high 28 points on 10-of-13 shooting versus Washburn (Kan.) on Nov. 8.
• 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).

AUDREY SWANSON NOTES
• Started both games, playing 30 minutes per game.
• Averaging 14.0 ppg and 2.5 apg, while leading the team with 9.5 rpg.
• Tied a career-high 16 points with six free throws vs. Washburn (Kan.) on Nov. 8.
• Recorded her first double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing a career-high 16 rebounds on Nov. 9 versus Central Oklahoma.

MADDIE THORFINNSON NOTES
• Started both games.
• Averaging 2.0 ppg and 4.0 rpg in 25.5 minutes per game.
• Scored a career-high 10 points vs. Augustana (12/1/22) two seasons ago. 

CHRISTINA WAGNER NOTES 
• Has not played this season.
• Added 10 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks in limited playing time last season.

ELIZABETH WAGNER NOTES 
• Has not played this season.
• Averaged 3.6 ppg and 4.0 rpg with a team-high 15 blocks last season.
• Pulled down a career-high eight rebounds three times this season.
• Scored a career-high 13 points vs. Martin Luther (1/2/24).

WORKING OVERTIME 
• SMSU is 13-30 all-time in overtime games and did not play one last season. SMSU was 1-1 in 2022-23 defeating MSU Moorhead 82-75, and suffering a loss to St. Cloud State 70-59. 
• SMSU is 4-4 all-time in double OT games.

HOME AND AWAY     
• SMSU is 0-0 at home this season after finishing 11-5 at home in 2023-24 and 11-4 in 2022-23.
• The Mustangs are 0-0 in road games this season after recording a 7-6 mark in road games in 2023-24.
• The following is a final statistical comparison of the Mustang team averages for home and away games in 2023-24:
    W-L    FG%    3-FG%    FT%    REB    PTS    TO
Home    11-5    45.7    39.7    75.2    37.8    79.5    12.1     
Away    7-6    39.6    31.5    74.2    35.7    68.8    14.1
     
SMSU ALL-TIME IN THE NSIC 
• The 2024-25 campaign marks the 46th season SMSU has competed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
• SMSU has an all-time record of 294-426 in conference games and has won four regular season championships (1979-80, 1980-81, 2000-01, 2001-02) and one NSIC Tournament championship (2002).

MUSTANG HISTORY
• SMSU is in its 56th season of women's basketball in 2024-25.
• SMSU has played 1,390 games compiling an all-time record of 672-718.
• SMSU has recorded 31 winning seasons, including the last five seasons. The 2019-20 squad that finished 16-12 was the program's first winning season since 2009-10.

AUGSBURG NOTES  
• 2024-25 Record: 1-0 overall, 0-0 MIAC
• Head Coach: Mallie Doucette, 1st season, 1-0
• Augsburg opened the season with a 67-61 non-conference win over Martin Luther on Wednesday.
• Wakinyela Bear and Amira LaDuke shared the lead in scoring in the win both with 13 points. Bear added six rebounds and four assists, while LaDuke pulled down four rebounds and picked up three steals.
• Lani Fonoti and Katie Manecke followed behind with 10 points apiece. Fonoti helped on the glass with five rebounds and dished four assists, while Manecke also pulled down five rebounds. 
• AU is shooting 46 percent from the field, 27 percent from 3-point range, and 38 percent from the free throw line and is minus-5.0 in rebound margin. The Auggies average 67 points per game with a 6.0 scoring margin.

SMSU ALL-TIME INSIDE THE R/A FACILITY 
•The 2024-25 season marks the 29th year the R/A Facility has served as the home arena for SMSU women's basketball. 
•SMSU has an all-time record of 193-171 (.530) in 364 games with 15 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    11-5    9-3    2-2
    2024-25     0-0     0-0    0-0
    Totals:     192-170    128-137    65-34