THE LOOK AHEAD
• The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team is back on the road this weekend visiting No. 12 Minnesota State (7-2, 3-0 NSIC) and Winona State (5-4, 1-2 NSIC).
• SMSU begins the weekend versus the Mavericks on Friday, with tip-off set for 5:30 p.m.
• The Mustangs round out their weekend on Saturday with a 3:30 p.m. tip-off against the Warriors
• A preview for MSU and WSU can be found on page 3. 

GAME COVERAGE 
• This weekend's 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
• Friday will be the 74th meeting between MSU and SMSU, with the Mavericks holding a 50-23 advantage in a series that began in 1970.
• The teams met three times a season ago, with the Mavericks taking both regular season games before defeating SMSU 88-72 in the semifinals of the NSIC tournament.
• SMSU looks to snap a five-game losing streak to MSU.
• SMSU is 8-29 all-time at on the road versus MSU.
• Saturday will be the 92nd meeting between WSU and SMSU, with the Mustangs leading 48-43 in a series that started in 1973.
• The teams split the season series last year, losing 61-76 on the road before earning a 78-61 victory on the road.
• The Mustangs snapped a 12-game skid to WSU in 2021 and have since posted a 4-6 mark in the previous 10 meetings.
• SMSU is 17-29 all-time on the road versus WSU.

SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB
• Tom Webb is in his ninth season as head coach at SMSU with a 104-115 record, including 74-93 in NSIC play. 
• Webb is 195-238 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 ranks first in scoring margin (20.3), and field goal pct. (48.1) while ranking second in the league in scoring offense (84.1) and in 3-point field goal pct. (35.8), third in rebounding (43.3) and rebound margin (7.0), fifth in blocked shots per game (4.11), and sixth in assists per game (15.00).
• Stoltzman ranks fourth in the league in scoring (16.1) and first in field goal pct. (53.2), while Blandin ranks fourth in free throw pct. (86.2) sixth in field goal pct. (48.6), and seventh in scoring (15.7). Swanson ranks second in rebounding (8.6) fourth in field goal pct. (51.5), and 10th in scoring (15.3). Nielsen ranks third in the conference in blocks per game (2.1).
• SMSU shot a season-high 57 percent versus Bethany Lutheran and has shot 50 percent or higher four times this season.
• SMSU dished out a season-high 23 assists in the victory over Bethany Lutheran and has recorded 20 assists or more twice this season.

MUSTANGS BY THE NUMBERS
• On the season, SMSU has three players averaging double figures in scoring, and five averaging over eight points per game. Bri Stoltzman leads the way at 16.1 ppg while leading the team in field goals made, assists, and steals.
• Peyton Blandin ranks second averaging 15.7 ppg and scored a career-high 27 points versus Wayne State on Nov. 26.
• Audrey Swanson ranks third on the team averaging 15.3 ppg and leads the team in rebounding with 8.6 rpg. She has also recorded nine steals and four double-doubles.
• True freshman Nicole Maenke is fourth on SMSU with 9.1 ppg and leads the Mustangs with 15 3-pointers.
• Natalie Nielsen averages 8.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg and leads the SMSU defense with 2.1 bpg.
• SMSU is shooting 48 percent from the field, 36 percent from 3-point range, 75 percent from the free throw line, and is plus-7.0 in rebound margin. The Mustangs average 84 points per game.

SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS 
• In the latest Division II national statistics (Dec. 10), SMSU ranks fourth in field goal pct. (48.1), No. 7 in scoring offense (84.1), No. 15 in scoring margin (20.3), and No. 21 in 3-point field goal pct. (35.8).
• Audrey Swanson ranks 12th in the nation with four double-doubles, and Natalie Nielsen ranks No. 13 in blocks (19) and No. 19 in blocks per game (2.11).

LAST TIME OUT 
• SMSU suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday night to No. 19 Concordia-St. Paul by a score of 72-58.
• Peyton Blandin and Audrey Swanson each scored 13 points for the Mustangs with Swanson also grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds. Maddie Thorfinnson also reached double figures in scoring with a career-high 12 points with three 3-pointers.
• SMSU finished the night shooting just 33 percent (19 of 57), including 6 of 21 from 3-point range.
• CSP closed the game shooting 38 percent (25 of 66) with four 3-pointers in 12 attempts. The Golden Bears took advantage of 18 Mustang turnovers to hold a 22-10 scoring advantage in points off turnovers. CSP also outscored SMSU, 36-22, in points in the paint. 

PEYTON BLANDIN NOTES
• Has started every game and is averaging 15.7 ppg and 4.0 rpg.
• Ranks second on the team with 25 made free throws and 12 3-pointers.
• Scored a career-high 27 points on 12 of 20 shooting with five rebounds vs. Wayne State on Nov. 26.

KENNADI BUCHHOLZ NOTES
• Has played in five games and is averaging 3.4 ppg and 2.8 rpg.
• Recorded 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting with six rebounds and an assist vs. Bethany Lutheran on Nov. 30.
• 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 eight games and is averaging 3.4 ppg and 2.3 rpg.
• Scored a season-high nine points on three field goals vs. Augsburg on Nov. 16.

ZOIE CENTERS NOTES
• Has played in seven games adding 11 points, five rebounds, and seven assists.
• Tallied 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists last season.

BRYLEE IVERSON NOTES
• Has played in seven games and is averaging 2.3 ppg and 1.4 rpg.
• Scored a season-high seven points with a pair of 3-pointers and grabbed four rebounds vs. Augsburg on Nov. 16.

KENZIE JONES NOTES 
• Has played in every game with one start and is averaging 6.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, and 2.0 apg.
• Scored a career-high 15 points with four 3-pointers vs. Augsburg on Nov. 16.

NICOLE MAENKE NOTES
• Has played in every game and is averaging 9.1 ppg and 2.4 rpg as a true freshman.
• Leads SMSU with 15 3-pointers.
• Scored a career-high 22 points on 6-of-7 shooting versus Central Oklahoma on Nov. 9.

ALLISON MILBRANDT NOTES
• Has played in five games adding 10 points, a pair of assists, and two rebounds.
• Scored a season-high six points vs. Bethany Lutheran on Nov. 30.

NATALIE NIELSEN NOTES 
• Has started every game and is averaging 8.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg, and 2.1 bpg.
• Ranks third in the NSIC in blocks per game.
• Scored a career-high 16 points on 100 percent shooting with four rebounds and two blocks vs. Bethany Lutheran on Nov. 30.

BRI STOLTZMAN NOTES 
• Has played in eight games with eight starts, missing one game due to injury.
• Leads SMSU averaging 16.1 ppg and 1.3 steals per game. 
• Also averages 5.9 rpg and 2.5 apg.
• Named NSIC Player of the Week on Nov. 25
• 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
• Has started every game and is averaging 15.3 ppg , 8.6 rpg, and 1.6 apg.
• Scored a career-high 23 points with eight rebounds vs. Chadron State (Neb.) on Nov. 20.
• Has secured four 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
• Has started every game and is averaging 5.4 ppg and 3.2 rpg.
• Scored a career-high 12 points with three 3-pointers and a pair of rebounds versus Concordia-St. Paul on Dec. 7.

CHRISTINA WAGNER NOTES 
• Has played 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 4-1 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    4-1    46.7    34.7    80.1    43.6    85.4    10.6     
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 296-427 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 1,397 games compiling an all-time record of 678-719.
• 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.

MINNESOTA STATE NOTES  
• 2024-25 Record: 7-2 overall, 3-0 NSIC
• Head Coach: Emilee Thiesse, 13th season, 235-118
• Last Friday, the Mavericks went to Wayne State for its second conference contest of the season. After a tightly contested three quarters, Minnesota State pulled away with a 29-11 fourth to win 85-68.
• Natalie Bremer is the leading scorer in the conference, averaging 23.4 points while shooting 52.6% from the field. She ranks third in the country in points per game and 12th in field goals made.
• Destinee Bursch has been a great scorer in her own right; the senior ranks third in the NSIC in scoring with an 18.3-point-per-game average. She is second in the league in shooting percentage, firing at a 52.9% clip. Bursch has three 20-point performances on the year and hasn't been held under double digits all season. She is also the assists leader on the team with a 3.4 average per game, good for sixth in the NSIC.
• Mackenzie Schweim leads the team in total minutes played and is third on the team in scoring. She is averaging 8.6 points per game while leading the team in threes with 11 makes from beyond the arc on a 31.4% average from deep
• MSU is shooting 45 percent from the field, 27 percent from 3-point range, and 67 percent from the free throw line and is plus-6.9 in rebound margin. The Mavericks average 88 points per game with a plus-13.6 scoring margin.

WINONA STATE NOTES  
• 2024-25 Record: 5-4 overall, 2-1 NSIC
• Head Coach: Amanda Johnson, 10th season, 148-95
• Winona State is 6-4 on the year and will match up against Sioux Falls on Dec. 13 before visiting the Mustangs.
• Kami Wadsworth is leading the team in minutes with an average of 28.1 per game. She is also leading the team in points with an average of 15.2 per game.
• Ayla Brown is leading the team in steals with an average of 1.8 per game. She is also leading the team in assists with an average of 3.2 per game.
• Aby Phipps is leading the team in blocks with an average of 0.5 per game. She is also leading the team in rebounds with an average of 5.6 per game.
• WSU is shooting 42 percent from the field, 32 percent from 3-point range, and 77 percent from the free throw line and is minus-0.4 in rebound margin. The Warriors average 65 points per game with a plus-0.2 scoring margin.