THE LOOK AHEAD
• The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team continues its non-conference schedule with a pair of games out west this week.
• The Mustangs play Chadron State (Neb.) on Wednesday, Nov. 20, with tip-off set for 7 p.m.
• SMSU rounds out the week on Friday, Nov. 22, with a game versus Black Hills State (S.D.) at 7 p.m.
• A preview for CSU and BHSU can be found on page 3.

GAME COVERAGE 
• This week's games will not be broadcast on the radio.
• Live stats, radio, and video broadcasts of all games can be found at SMSUmustangs.com.

SERIES HISTORY
• Wednesday will be the seventh meeting between CSU and SMSU, with SMSU leading 6-0 in the all-time series.
• SMSU and CSU last played in 2009, resulting in a 60-51 road win for the Mustangs.
• The first meeting happened in 1996.
• SMSU is 1-0 all-time on the road versus CSU.
• The Mustangs will play the Yellow Jackets for the third time, with SMSU leading 2-0 in the all-time series.
• The teams last played in 2007, resulting in a 61-58 road win for the Mustangs.
• SMSU is 2-0 all-time on the road versus BHSU.

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 guard Nicole Maenke.

SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB
• Tom Webb is in his ninth season as head coach at SMSU with a 99-114 record, including 72-92 in NSIC play. 
• Webb is 190-237 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 second consecutive season since 2003. 
• The team finished with 19 victories a season ago, tying for fifth most in program history and 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 16.

MUSTANG TIP-OFF TIDBITS
• In the current NSIC stats, SMSU leads the league in scoring offense (85.3), scoring margin (23.7), field goal pct. (48.9), and rebounding margin (11.0), while ranking fourth in assists (16.0), blocked shots (4.67), and 3-point field goal pct. (37.3).
• Stoltzman ranks second in the league in scoring (21.3), third in field goal pct. (66.7), and sixth in steals (2.0), while Swanson ranks eighth in rebounding (7.7) and sixth in free throw pct. (90.0). Nielsen ranks second the conference in blocks per game (3.0).
• SMSU shot 50 percent versus Washburn (Kan.), after shooting 50 percent or higher eight times last season.
• SMSU dished out a season-high 22 assists in the victory over Augsburg.

MUSTANGS BY THE NUMBERS
• On 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 21.3 ppg while leading the team in field goals made.
• Peyton Blandin ranks second on the team averaging 13.3 ppg and is first with 14 made free throws.
• Audrey Swanson averages 12.0 ppg and ranks second on the team in rebounding with 7.7 rpg. She has also recorded five steals.
• True freshman Nicole Maenke is fourth on SMSU with 11.0 ppg and leads the Mustangs with six 3-pointers.
• Natalie Nielsen averages 8.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg and 3.0 bpg.
• SMSU is shooting 49 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3-point range, 73 percent from the free throw line and is plus-11.0 in rebound margin. The Mustangs average 85 points per game.

SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS 
• In the latest Division II national statistics (Nov. 18), SMSU ranks No. 4 in free throws made per game (21.33), 10th in field goal pct. (48.9), 14th in scoring offense (85.3), 23rd in scoring margin (23.7), and 26th in rebound margin (11.0).
• Bri Stoltzman ranks 16th in scoring (21.3), and field goal pct. (66.7), while Natalie Nielsen ranks second in blocks per game (3.00) and 14th in total blocks (9).
 
PEYTON BLANDIN NOTES
• Started every game.
• Averaging 13.3 ppg and 2.7 rpg, ranks first on the team with 14 made free throws.
• Tied a career-high 17 points vs. Washburn (Kan.) on Nov. 8.

KENNADI BUCHHOLZ NOTES
• Appeared in one game.
• Averaging 7.0 ppg and 6.0 rpg.
• 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 two games.
• Averaging 4.5 ppg and 1.0 rpg.
• Scored nine points on three field goals vs. Augsburg on Nov. 16.

ZOIE CENTERS NOTES
• Appeared in two games.
• Averaging 2.0 ppg and 1.0 rpg.
• Tallied 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists last season.

BRYLEE IVERSON NOTES
• Appeared in two games.
• Scored seven points with a pair of 3-pointers and grabbed four rebounds vs. Augsburg on Nov. 16.

KENZIE JONES NOTES 
• Appeared in every game.
• Averaging 7.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, and 3.0 apg.
• Scored a career-high 15 points with four 3-pointers vs. Augsburg on Nov. 16.

NICOLE MAENKE NOTES
• Appeared in every game.
• Averaging 11.0 ppg and 2.0 rpg as a true freshman.
• Leads SMSU with six 3-pointers, and scored a career-high 22 points on 6-of-7 shooting versus Central Oklahoma on Nov. 9.

NATALIE NIELSEN NOTES 
• Started every game.
• Averaging 8.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg, and 3.0 bpg.
• Ranks second in the NSIC in blocks per game.
• Pulled down 11 rebounds and swatted four blocks against Central Oklahoma on Nov. 9.

BRI STOLTZMAN NOTES 
• Started every game.
• Leads SMSU averaging 21.3 ppg and 2.0 steals per game. Also averages 6.3 rpg and 2.7 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 every game.
• Averaging 12.0 ppg , 7.7 rpg, and 2.3 apg.
• 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 every game.
• Averaging 1.7 ppg and 4.0 rpg.
• Scored career-high 10 points vs. Augustana (12/1/22) two seasons ago.

CHRISTINA WAGNER NOTES 
• Appeared in one game.
• 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 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 1-0 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.
• SMSU is 2-0 in neutral site games this season after finishing 1-1 in neutral site contests in 2023-24.
• The following is a final statistical comparison of the Mustang team averages for home and away games in 2024-25:
    W-L    FG%    3-FG%    FT%    REB    PTS    TO
Home    1-0    49.3    45.8    66.7    51.0    101.0    11.0     
Away    0-0    0.0    0.0    0.0    0.0    0.0    0.0
Neutral    2-0    48.7    31.0    73.5    41.5    77.5    21.0
     
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 have 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 1,391 games compiling an all-time record of 673-718.
• 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.

CHADRON STATE NOTES  
• 2024-25 Record: 0-3 overall, 0-0 RMAC
• Head Coach: Travis Brewster, 2nd season, 6-23
• Chadron State (Neb.) went 0-2 at the Yellowjacket Classic last weekend and is now 0-3.
• Ashayla Powers leads the Eagles offense averaging 14.7 ppg, and adds a team-high 6.7 rpg and eight free throws made.
• Camren Morris ranks third in scoring at 9.7 ppg and leads the team with six 3-pointers made.
• Allison Richards ranks second with 10.0 ppg and averages 3.0 rpg.
• CSU is shooting 43 percent from the field, 26 percent from 3-point range, and 83 percent from the free throw line and is minus-3.0 in rebound margin. The Eagles average 60 points per game with a minus-17.3 scoring margin.

BLACK HILLS STATE NOTES  
• 2024-25 Record: 3-2 overall, 0-0 RMAC
• Head Coach: Rachel Erickson, 1st season, 3-2
• Black Hills State (S.D.) went 1-1 last weekend splitting games against Northern State and Sioux Falls.
• Kall Bertram leads the Yellow Jackets offense averaging 14.2 ppg, and adds a team-high 9.0 rpg and 11 steals.
• Bradie Schlabs ranks third in scoring at 10.8 ppg and leads the team with 4.0 apg.
• Haylee Weathersby ranks second with 13.4 ppg and is a perfect 15-of-15 from the charity stripe.
• BHSU is shooting 46 percent from the field, 33 percent from 3-point range, and 85 percent from the free throw line and is plus-5.6 in rebound margin. The Yellow Jackets average 67 points per game with a 5.6 scoring margin.