THE LOOK AHEAD
• The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team returns to the R/A Facility for a four-game home stretch over the next two weeks.
• SMSU kicks off the week with its NSIC opener on Tuesday, Nov. 26, hosting Wayne State with a 5:30 p.m. tip-off 
• The Mustangs play Division III opponent Bethany Lutheran on Saturday, Nov. 30, with tip-off set for 4 p.m.
• A preview for WSC and BLC can be found on page 3. 

GAME COVERAGE 
• All regular season 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

SERIES HISTORY
• Tuesday will be the 66th meeting between WSC and SMSU, with the Wildcats holding a 42-23 advantage in a series that began in 1991.
• The teams met once a season ago, resulting in a 75-68 road win for the Mustangs.
• SMSU broke a 21-game losing streak to WSC in 2020 and has since gone 5-5 in the previous 10 meetings.
• SMSU is 15-17 all-time at home versus WSC.
• Saturday will be the second meeting between SMSU and BLC, with the Mustangs leading 1-0 in the all-time series.
• The Mustangs picked up a 96-52 win over Bethany Lutheran last season.

SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB
• Tom Webb is in his ninth season as head coach at SMSU with a 101-114 record, including 72-92 in NSIC play. 
• Webb is 192-237 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 16.

MUSTANG TIP-OFF TIDBITS
• In the current NSIC stats, SMSU leads the league in scoring margin (22.8), field goal pct. (49.2), and rebounding margin (10.6), while ranking second in scoring offense (86.2), third in 3-point field goal pct. (37.1), fourth in assists (15.80), and sixth in blocked shots (3.80).
• Stoltzman ranks third in the league in scoring (21.2), second in field goal pct. (59.7), and sixth in steals (1.8), while Swanson ranks fourth in rebounding (8.4) and fifth in field goal pct. (52.6). Nielsen ranks fourth in the conference in blocks per game (2.2).
• SMSU shot a season-high 54 percent versus Chadron State (Neb.) and has shot 50 percent or higher twice this 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 seven points per game. Bri Stoltzman leads the way at 21.2 ppg while leading the team in field goals made, assists, and steals.
• Audrey Swanson ranks second on the team averaging 15.0 ppg and leads the team in rebounding with 8.4 rpg. She has also recorded seven steals and a pair of double-doubles.
• Peyton Blandin ranks third averaging 14.0 ppg and is second with 18 made free throws.
• True freshman Nicole Maenke is fourth on SMSU with 10.2 ppg and leads the Mustangs with 11 3-pointers.
• Natalie Nielsen averages 7.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg and 2.2 bpg.
• SMSU is shooting 49 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3-point range, 72 percent from the free throw line, and is plus-10.6 in rebound margin. The Mustangs average 86 points per game.

SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS 
• In the latest Division II national statistics (Nov. 24), SMSU ranks No. 7 in free throws made per game (18.40), ninth in field goal pct. (49.2) and scoring offense (86.2), 19th in scoring margin (22.8), and 23rd in rebound margin (10.6).
• Bri Stoltzman ranks 13th in scoring (21.2) and 27th in field goal pct. (59.7), while Natalie Nielsen ranks 18th in blocks per game (2.20) and 22nd in total blocks (11).
• Nicole Maenke ranks 13th in the nation in 3-point field goal pct. (57.9).

LAST TIME OUT 
• SMSU poured in a season-high 13 3-pointers to earn an 82-60 non-conference road win over Black Hills State (S.D.) on Friday night inside the Donald E. Young Center.
• The last time SMSU won its first five games during a full season occurred in 2004-05 when the squad won its first seven games.
• Audrey Swanson led the Mustang offense with 16 points on 6 of 13 shooting with a team-high 11 rebounds for the second double-double of her career. Bri Stoltzman followed with 15 points on 5 of 13 shooting and eight rebounds while dishing a team-high six assists. Stoltzman also recorded a pair of steals. Nicole Maenke added 14 points on 4 of 5 shooting including a perfect 4 of 4 from beyond the arc. 
• Peyton Blandin chipped in 13 points and five rebounds while Maddie Thorfinnson and Natalie Nielsen pitched in 10 points apiece. Thorfinnson drained three 3-pointers and Nielsen grabbed seven rebounds and a pair of blocks.

PEYTON BLANDIN NOTES
• Started every game and is averaging 14.0 ppg and 2.8 rpg.
• Ranks second on the team with 18 made free throws and eight 3-pointers.
• Tied a career-high 17 points twice this season.

KENNADI BUCHHOLZ NOTES
• Appeared in three games and is averaging 2.3 ppg and 2.3 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 four games and is averaging 3.3 ppg and 1.0 rpg.
• Scored nine points on three field goals vs. Augsburg on Nov. 16.

ZOIE CENTERS NOTES
• Appeared in four games and is averaging 2.0 ppg and 1.0 apg.
• Tallied 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists last season.

BRYLEE IVERSON NOTES
• Appeared in four games and is averaging 2.5 ppg and 1.5 rpg.
• 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 and is averaging 5.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, and 2.4 apg.
• Scored a career-high 15 points with four 3-pointers vs. Augsburg on Nov. 16.

NICOLE MAENKE NOTES
• Appeared in every game and is averaging 10.2 ppg and 2.2 rpg as a true freshman.
• Leads SMSU with 11 3-pointers.
• Scored a career-high 22 points on 6-of-7 shooting versus Central Oklahoma on Nov. 9.

ALLISON MILBRANDT NOTES
• Appeared in three games.
• Scored four points vs. Augsburg on Nov. 16.

NATALIE NIELSEN NOTES 
• Started every game and is averaging 7.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg, and 2.2 bpg.
• Ranks fourth 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 and leads SMSU averaging 21.2 ppg and 1.8 steals per game. 
• Also averages 7.6 rpg and 3.0 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 every game and is averaging 15.0 ppg , 8.4 rpg, and 2.2 apg.
• Scored a career-high 23 points with eight rebounds vs. Chadron State (Neb.) on Nov. 20.
• Has secured two double-doubles this season.
• 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 and is averaging 4.2 ppg and 3.4 rpg.
• Tied a career-high 10 points vs. Black Hills State (S.D.) with three 3-pointers on Nov. 22.

CHRISTINA WAGNER NOTES 
• Appeared in three games.
• 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 2-0 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    2-0    49.5    35.5    69.2    44.5    87.5    13.5
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 1,393 games compiling an all-time record of 675-718.
• 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.

WAYNE STATE NOTES  
• 2024-25 Record: 2-1 overall, 0-0 NSIC
• Head Coach: Brent Pollari, 7th season, 66-88
• Wayne State is 2-1 to start the season after picking up a pair of wins over Chadron State (Neb.) and Nebraska-Kearney.
• Maya Fitzpatrick leads the Wildcats offense averaging 14.7 ppg, and helps defensively with a team-high seven blocks and three steals.
• Kyla VanDonkersgoed ranks second in scoring at 13.7 ppg and leads the team with 6.0 rpg and 3.0 apg.
• Tate Norblade ranks third with 13.3 ppg and leads the team with 19 free throws.
• WSC is shooting 42 percent from the field, 46 percent from 3-point range, and 76 percent from the free throw line and is minus-1.0 in rebound margin. The Wildcats average 74 points per game with a plus-4.7 scoring margin.

BETHANY LUTHERAN NOTES  
• 2024-25 Record: 1-4 overall, 0-0 UMAC
• Head Coach: Emma Purfeerst, 2nd season, 8-22
• Bethany Lutheran is 1-4 on the season and will play at St. Olaf College on Tuesday before visiting SMSU.
• Aubrea Kor leads the Vikings offense averaging 13.0 ppg, and adds a team-high 14 free throws.
• Gianna Klarenbeek ranks second in scoring at 12.4 ppg and leads the team with 1.8 apg.
• Julianna Ewald ranks third with 8.2 ppg and ranks second defensively with 4.6 rpg.
• BLC is shooting 37 percent from the field, 17 percent from 3-point range, and 64 percent from the free throw line and is minus-2.2 in rebound margin. The Vikings average 65 points per game with a minus-6.4 scoring margin.

SMSU IN NSIC OPENERS 
• SMSU has an all-time record of 16-29 (.356) in NSIC opening contests.
• SMSU has won its conference opener for four consecutive seasons (including the shortened COVID season).
    SMSU NSIC Openers Since 2010
2023-24    at Wayne State    W, 75-68
2022-23    SIOUX FALLS    W, 72-59
2021-22    at Sioux Falls    W, 75-67
2020-21    UPPER IOWA    W, 70-47
2019-20    at Minnesota State    L, 60-76
2018-19    SIOUX FALLS    L, 51-69
2017-18    at Sioux Falls    L, 58-76
2016-17    SIOUX FALLS    L, 40-75
2015-16    at Sioux Falls    L, 42-74
2014-15    SIOUX FALLS    L, 50-91
2013-14    at Sioux Falls    L, 60-70
2012-13    SIOUX FALLS    L, 66-77
2011-12    at Augustana    L, 54-85
2010-11    AUGUSTANA    W, 63-56

BOLD indicates home game

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 193-170 (.532) in 363 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    1-0    0-0    1-0    
    Totals:     193-170    128-137    66-34