THE LOOK AHEAD
• The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team is scheduled to play a split week visiting Augustana (1-9, 0-5 NSIC) before hosting Sioux Falls (6-6, 2-3 NSIC) in its final game of the calendar year.
• SMSU begins the week versus the Vikings on Thursday, with tip-off set for 5:30 p.m.
• The Mustangs round out their weekend on Saturday with a 2 p.m. tip-off against the Cougars
• A preview for AU and USF can be found on page 3. 

GAME COVERAGE 
• This week'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
• Thursday will be the 55th meeting between AU and SMSU, with the Vikings holding a 34-20 advantage in a series that began in 1969.
• The teams met twice a season ago, with the Mustangs winning 76-66 in the regular season contest before defeating AU 93-85 in the first round of the NSIC tournament.
• SMSU has won seven of the last 10 matchups.
• SMSU is 5-20 all-time on the road versus AU.
• Saturday will be the 43rd meeting between USF and SMSU, with the Mustangs leading 22-20 in a series that started in 1969.
• SMSU won the lone meeting a season ago, defeating the Cougars 86-61 in Marshall.
• The Mustangs have won four of the last five meetings.
• SMSU is 8-12 all-time at home versus USF.
• Complete series history for both teams can be found on pages 18-19.

SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB
• Tom Webb is in his ninth season as head coach at SMSU with a 105-116 record, including 75-94 in NSIC play. 
• Webb is 196-239 overall in his 17th 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 17.

MUSTANG TIP-OFF TIDBITS
• In the current NSIC stats, SMSU ranks first in scoring margin (17.6), field goal pct. (48.5), and rebound margin (6.5), and 3-point field goal pct. (36.6), while ranking second in the league in scoring offense (84.8), third in rebounding (42.4), and fourth in blocked shots per game (4.09) and assists per game (15.55).
• Bri Stoltzman ranks fourth in the league in scoring (16.6) and first in field goal pct. (55.2), while Peyton Blandin ranks third in free throw pct. (85.7) sixth in field goal pct. (49.2), and seventh in scoring (15.9). Audrey Swanson ranks second in rebounding (8.5) third in field goal pct. (51.2), and 13th in scoring (14.8). Natalie Nielsen ranks third in the conference in blocks per game (2.2).
• SMSU shot a season-high 57 percent versus Bethany Lutheran and has shot 50 percent or higher five 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 four players averaging double figures in scoring, and five averaging over nine points per game. Bri Stoltzman leads the way at 16.6 ppg while leading the team in field goals made, assists, and steals.
• Peyton Blandin ranks second averaging 15.9 ppg and scored a career-high 27 points versus Wayne State on Nov. 26.
• Audrey Swanson ranks third on the team averaging 14.8 ppg and leads the team in rebounding with 8.5 rpg. She has also recorded 11 steals and four double-doubles.
• Natalie Nielsen averages 10.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg and leads the SMSU defense with 2.2 bpg. Nielsen scored a career-high 28 points with eight rebounds versus No. 12 Minnesota State on Dec. 13.
• True freshman Nicole Maenke is fourth on SMSU with 9.9 ppg and leads the Mustangs with 23 3-pointers. Maenke set the single-game program record for 3-point field goal pct. making all six 3-point attempts against Winona State on Dec. 14.
• SMSU is shooting 49 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3-point range, 76 percent from the free throw line, and is plus-6.5 in rebound margin. The Mustangs average 85 points per game.

SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS 
• In the latest Division II national statistics (Dec. 16), SMSU ranks third in field goal pct. (48.5), No. 7 in scoring offense (84.8), No. 19 in 3-point field goal pct. (36.6), No. 22 in scoring margin (17.6).
• Audrey Swanson ranks 19th nationally with four double-doubles, and Natalie Nielsen ranks No. 10 in blocks (24) and No. 15 in blocks per game (2.18).
• Nicole Maenke leads the nation in 3-point field goal pct. (57.5). 

LAST TIME OUT 
• SMSU bounced back into the win column with a dominant 93-64 victory over Winona State on Saturday afternoon inside McCown Gymnasium.
• Five Mustangs scored in double figures in the win. Bri Stoltzman poured in a game-high 27 points on 11 of 15 shooting with six assists and three rebounds. Peyton Blandin followed up with 21 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Nicole Maenke rained in six 3-pointers to finish with 18 points. Maenke finished the game 6 for 6 from 3-point range setting a team single-game record for 3-point field goal pct.
• Audrey Swanson poured in 12 points and nine rebounds, while Natalie Nielsen secured her first career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
• SMSU finished the day shooting 34 of 61 (56 percent) from the field including making a season-high 16 of 36 attempts from beyond the arc. 
• WSU closed the day shooting 38 percent (24 of 63) from the field including 25 percent (5 of 20) from downtown.

PEYTON BLANDIN NOTES
• Has started every game and is averaging 15.9 ppg and 3.9 rpg.
• Ranks second on the team with 30 made free throws and 19 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 seven games and is averaging 3.0 ppg and 2.9 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 10 games and is averaging 3.2 ppg and 2.1 rpg.
• Scored a season-high nine points on three field goals vs. Augsburg on Nov. 16.

ZOIE CENTERS NOTES
• Has played in nine games adding 12 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists.
• Tallied 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists last season.

BRYLEE IVERSON NOTES
• Has played in nine games and is averaging 1.8 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 10 games with one start and is averaging 6.1 ppg and 3.3 rpg.
• 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 9.9 ppg and 2.0 rpg as a true freshman.
• Leads SMSU with 23 3-pointers.
• Set a single-game school record for 3-point field goal pct. making all six 3-point attempts in the 93-64 win over Winona State on Dec. 14.
• Scored a career-high 22 points on 6-of-7 shooting versus Central Oklahoma on Nov. 9.

ALLISON MILBRANDT NOTES
• Has played in seven games adding 10 points, three 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 10.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, and 2.2 bpg.
• Ranks third in the NSIC in blocks per game.
• Scored a career-high 28 points on 11 of 15 shooting with eight rebounds and two blocks at No. 12 Minnesota State on Dec. 13.

BRI STOLTZMAN NOTES 
• Has played in 10 games with 10 starts, missing one game due to injury.
• Leads SMSU averaging 16.6 ppg and 2.9 assists per game. 
• Also averages 5.3 rpg and 1.6 spg.
• 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 14.8 ppg , 8.5 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 4.5 ppg and 3.1 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.
• 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 3-1 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    3-1    50.0    36.5    75.1    40.8    87.8    18.0
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 297-428 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.

AUGUSTANA NOTES  
• 2024-25 Record: 1-9 overall, 0-5 NSIC
• Head Coach: Nate Vogel, 1st season (6th overall), 1-9 (80-66)
• Augustana is 1-9 on the season and last played on Dec. 14 suffering an 80-58 road loss to No. 13 Concordia-St. Paul.
• Hannah Burg is the leading scorer for the Vikings, averaging 11.1 points per game while also leading AU with 4.1 assists per game.
• Olivia Hayenga ranks second on the team averaging 10.1 points per game. Hayenga ranks second defensively with 
• 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
• AU is shooting 38 percent from the field, 29 percent from 3-point range, and 64 percent from the free throw line and is minus-9.3 in rebound margin. The Vikings average 62 points per game with a minus-16.8 scoring margin.

SIOUX FALLS NOTES  
• 2024-25 Record: 6-6 overall, 2-3 NSIC
• Head Coach: Travis Traphagen, 17th season, 290-180
• Sioux Falls is 6-6 on the year and last played on Dec. 14 suffering a 91-88 road loss to No. 12 Minnesota State.
• 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.
• USF is shooting 41 percent from the field, 35 percent from 3-point range, and 77 percent from the free throw line and is plus-5.4 in rebound margin. The Cougars average 73 points per game with a plus-8.5 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 196-171 (.534) in 367 games with 15 winning seasons.