THE LOOK AHEAD
• The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team is set to begin the 2024-25 regular season this weekend with a pair of games at the Women's Central Region Challenge hosted by St. Cloud State University.
• It is the first fourth consecutive season that SMSU will play a pair of MIAA schools to begin its yearly campaign.
• The Mustangs first play against Washburn (Kan.) on Friday, Nov. 8, with tip-off set for 4 p.m.
• SMSU returns to play the following day with a game against Central Oklahoma at 2 p.m.
• A preview for WU and UCO 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.

MUSTANGS VERSUS THE MIAA
• Friday will be just the second meeting between WU and SMSU, with WU leading 1-0 after winning the first meeting back in 2004.
• SMSU and UCO will be playing for the first time.
• The Mustangs have played in 27 games versus MIAA opponents and hold a 6-21 record all-time.
• SMSU's most recent win came from a 64-48 victory over Northwest Missouri State in 2021.
• The Mustangs look to snap a four-game MIAA losing streak on Friday.

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 96-114 record, including 72-92 in NSIC play. 
• Webb is 187-237 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 15.

MUSTANG TIP-OFF TIDBITS
• In the final NSIC stats (league games only), SMSU led the NSIC in 3-point field-goal pct. (35.0), and free throw pct. (77.3), finished second in scoring offense (73.3), third in field-goal pct. (42.6), and fifth in scoring margin (6.4). 
• Stoltzman ranked second in the league in scoring (17.7), fourth in assists (3.5), seventh in field goal pct. (46.2), 10th in free throw pct. (75.2) and 12th in rebounding (6.4).
• SMSU shot 50 percent or higher eight times last season.
• SMSU dished out a season-high 22 assists in victories over Martin Luther (Jan. 2) and Minot State (Jan. 13). 

MUSTANGS BY THE NUMBERS
• Last season, SMSU had three players averaging double figures in scoring, and four averaging over nine points per game. Bri Stoltzman led the way at 18.7 ppg while leading the team in both rebounding at 6.6 per game and assists with 113. 
• Junior Peyton Blandin ranked second on the team with 56 3-pointers and averaged 8.8 ppg. Elizabeth Wagner averaged 4.0 rpg and added a team-high 15 blocks.
• Kenzie Jones averaged 7.0 ppg and 2.5 rpg.
• SMSU finished the year shooting 43 percent from the field, 36 percent from 3-point range, 77 percent from the free throw line and is plus-1.9 in rebound margin. The Mustangs averaged 75 points per game.

SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS 
• In the final 2023-24 Division II national statistics (March 29), SMSU ranked third in 3-pointers per game (9.8), sixth in 3-point field goal attempts (27.5), 17th in scoring offense (75.0), 19th in free throw pct. (77.0) and 25th in turnovers per game (13.5). 
• Bri Stoltzman closed the year 21st in scoring (18.7), 29th in free throws made (134), and 37th in field goals made (198). 
• SMSU in the latest NCAA stats can be found on page 16. 

STONE COLD STOLTZMAN
• Last season, 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, and her third 30-point game in the NSIC Quarterfinals win over Northern State on March 3.
• Stoltzman led the team in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and free throws made last year.
• A native of Mankato, Minn., Stoltzman made her mark in the SMSU women's basketball record book a season ago, ending the year with a program-record 579 points scored in a season. She also ranked top-five in a single season in free throws made (134), games started (31), defensive rebounds (172), and field goals made (198).
• Stoltzman also peaked the top 10 single-season rankings in scoring average (18.7), steals (65), and defensive rebound avg. (5.5).
 
PEYTON BLANDIN NOTES
• Started every game last season, averaging 28.2 minutes per game.
• Averaged 8.4 ppg and 3.3 rpg, and ranked second on the team with 56 3-pointers.
• Scored a career-high 17 points vs. Northwest Missouri State (11/10/23).

KENNADI BUCHHOLZ NOTES
• Appeared in 18 games.
• Averaged 2.6 ppg and 1.6 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 28 games.
• Averaged 1.7 ppg and 1.2 rpg as a true freshman.
• Scored seven points on three field goals vs. Martin Luther (1/2/24).

ZOIE CENTERS NOTES
• Appeared in 18 games.
• Tallied 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

KENZIE JONES NOTES 
• Played in 15 games with eight starts, missing 16 games due to injury.
• Averaged 7.0 ppg and 2.5 rpg and drained 20 3-pointers.
• Scored a career-high 14 points with four 3-pointers at Michigan Tech (11/16/23).

NATALIE NIELSEN NOTES 
• SDSU transfer who appeared in nine games for the Jackrabbits as a true freshman.
• Averaged 2.1 ppg and 0.6 rpg.

BRI STOLTZMAN NOTES 
• Started all 31 games.
• Led SMSU averaging 18.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg, and 3.6 apg.
• 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).
• Became the 25th player in program history to score 1,000 points on Feb. 28.
• Named All-NSIC first team in 2023-24. 

AUDREY SWANSON NOTES
• Appeared in 23 games.
• Averaged 2.0 ppg and 1.0 rpg.
• Scored career-high 16 points with four 3-pointers and grabbed five rebounds vs. Martin Luther (1/2/24).

MADDIE THORFINNSON NOTES
• Appeared in all 31 games.
• Averaged 1.6 ppg and 1.3 rpg in 19.4 minutes per game.
• Scored career-high 10 points vs. Augustana (12/1/22) two seasons ago. 

CHRISTINA WAGNER NOTES 
• Played in 17 games.
• Added 10 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks in limited playing time.

ELIZABETH WAGNER NOTES 
• Appeared in 30 games.
• Averaged 3.6 ppg and 4.0 rpg with a team-high 15 blocks.
• Scored a career-high 13 points vs. Martin Luther (1/2/24).
• Pulled down career-high eight rebounds three times this season.

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 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 1,388 games compiling an all-time record of 670-718.
• 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.

WASHBURN NOTES  
• 2023-24 Record: 13-16 overall, 8-14 MIAA
• Head Coach: Lora Westling, 3rd season (12th overall), 24-33 (139-143)
• Yiibari Nwidadah returns after ranking second on the team with 12.4 ppg on 55 percent shooting, while leading defensively with 9.1 rpg. 
• Aniah Wayne followed with 7.6 ppg and 2.6 rpg, while leading the team with 45 3-pointers.
• Gabi Giovannetti led Washburn shooting 37 percent from behind the arc a season ago while contributing 6.5 ppg along with 2.1 rpg and 1.0 apg.
• Washburn returns eight letterwinners from last season's roster while adding seven total new faces with five incoming freshmen and two junior transfers rounding out the 15-player roster. 
• WU shot 40 percent from the field, 30 percent from 3-point range, and 70 percent from the free throw line last year, and ended plus-2.3 in rebound margin. The Ichabods averaged 68 points per game with a 2.5 scoring margin.

CENTRAL OKLAHOMA NOTES  
• 2023-24 Record: 8-20 overall, 7-15 MIAA
• Head Coach: Emma Andrews, 3rd season (9th overall), 19-37 (92-124)
• Karly Wadsworth leads the team into the new year after averaging 9.0 ppg and ranking first with 47 3-pointers made. 
• Reagan Fox followed with 8.3 ppg and ranked second with 38 3-pointers, while being the leading returner in rebounding and assist average.
• Bronchos finished 7-15 in the MIAA and missed the MIAA Basketball Championships for just the second time since joining the league in 2012.
• The Bronchos were voted 11th in both the MIAA media and coaches' poll.
• UCO shot 38 percent from the field, 30 percent from 3-point range, and 72 percent from the free throw line last year, and ended minus-4.6 in rebound margin. The Bronchos averaged  65 points per game with a minus-5.5 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    
    Totals:     192-170    128-137    65-34