THE LOOK AHEAD 
• The No. 22 Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (18-2, 12-2 NSIC) hosts Augustana (4-16, 2-12 NSIC) on Thursday and visits Sioux Falls (12-9, 8-6 NSIC) on Saturday. 
• SMSU begins the week hosting the Vikings on Thursday, with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. 
• The Mustangs round out the weekend on Saturday with a road game against the Cougars with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 p.m. 
• A preview for AU and USF 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 
• Thursday will be the 56th meeting between AU and SMSU, with the Vikings holding a 34-21 advantage in a series that began in 1969.  
• SMSU took the first game of the series this season, earning a 77-57 on the road.  
• SMSU is 15-13 all-time at home versus AU.  
• Saturday will be the 44th meeting between USF and SMSU, with the Mustangs leading 23-20 in a series that started in 1969.  
• SMSU took the first game of the series this season, earning a 93-61 at home.  
• SMSU is 14-8 all-time on the road versus USF. 

SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB 
• Tom Webb is in his ninth season as head coach at SMSU with a 114-116 record, including 84-94 in NSIC play.  
• Webb is 205-239 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 (18.9), in rebounds (42.7), rebound margin (7.9), field goal pct. (47.8), and 3-point field goal pct. (37.7), while ranking second in the league in scoring offense (83.6). SMSU ranks sixth in assists per game (14.55). 
• Bri Stoltzman ranks first in the league in field goal pct. (55.6), third in scoring (19.1), assists per game (4.1), while Peyton Blandin ranks fifth in field goal pct. (46.1), fourth in 3-pt field goals per game (2.3) and seventh in scoring (15.8). Audrey Swanson ranks first in rebounding (9.1), fourth in field goal pct. (49.6), and ninth in scoring (14.8). Natalie Nielsen ranks fourth in the conference in blocks per game (1.6). 
• SMSU shot a season-high 57 percent versus Bethany Lutheran and has shot 50 percent or higher six times this season. 
• SMSU dished out a season-high 23 assists twice this year and has recorded 20 or more assists four times this season. 

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 19.1 ppg while leading the team in field goals made, assists, and steals. 
• Peyton Blandin ranks second averaging 15.8 ppg, leads the Mustangs with 46 3-pointers 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 9.1 rpg. She has also recorded eight double-doubles. 
• Natalie Nielsen averages 10.2 ppg and 6.5 rpg and leads the SMSU defense with 1.6 bpg. Nielsen scored a career-high 28 points with eight rebounds versus then-No. 12 Minnesota State on Dec. 13. 
• True freshman Nicole Maenke is fifth on SMSU with 8.1 ppg and ranks second on the team with 35 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 48 percent from the field, 38 percent from 3-point range, 78 percent from the free throw line, and is plus-7.9 in rebound margin. The Mustangs average 84 points per game with a plus-18.9 scoring margin. 

SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS  
• In the latest Division II national statistics (Jan. 27), SMSU ranks second in field goal pct. (47.8), fourth in scoring offense (83.6), eighth in 3-point field goal pct. (37.7), and in scoring margin (18.9). 
• Audrey Swanson ranks No. 20 nationally with eight double-doubles and No. 10 in defensive rebounds per game (7.6), while Natalie Nielsen ranks No. 34 in blocks (32) and No. 43 in blocks per game (1.60). 
• Bri Stoltzman sits at No. 20 in field goal pct. (55.6), while Peyton Blandin sits at No. 33 in 3-pointers made (46). 
• SMSU in the latest NCAA stats can be found on pages 19-20. 

SMSU IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS 
• The Mustangs moved up in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Top 25 poll released on Jan. 28 coming in at No. 22. SMSU is ranked in this week's College Sports Communicators (D2CSC) Top 25 poll for the second consecutive week, entering at No. 25. 
• SMSU is one of three NSIC teams ranked in the WBCA poll. Minnesota State is ranked No. 14 and Concordia St. Paul is ranked No. 19. MSU is listed at No. 12 and CSP is ranked No. 17 in the CSC Top 25.   
• SMSU is ranked No. 5 in this week's CSC Central Region poll. The CSC regional poll is not the official region rankings used by the NCAA. The official NCAA region rankings will be released starting Feb. 19. 

LAST TIME OUT  
• SMSU earned a 73-57 victory over the St. Cloud State Huskies on Jan. 25. SMSU, off to program best start 18-2 through its first 20 games, is tied for second in the NSIC standings with a 12-2 mark.  
• The Mustangs were led by Bri Stoltzman's 31 points–her second 30-point game this season–on 73 percent (11 of 15) shooting with five rebounds and a pair of steals. Audrey Swanson had a dominant game in the paint for SMSU, recording 22 points and a career-high 17 rebounds for her eighth double-double of the season. 
• The Mustangs finished the game shooting 45 percent (24 of 53) from the field, making 6 of 17 attempts from beyond the arc. 

STONE COLD STOLTZMAN 
• Bri Stoltzman was named the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA)/Division II Conference Information Directors Association (D2CIDA) Division II Player of the Week, was announced on Jan. 21. Stoltzman becomes the first Mustang in program history to earn national weekly recognition. 
• She has earned NSIC Player of the Week four times (Nov. 25, Dec. 23, Jan 13. Jan. 20) this season as well as appearing on the 'NSIC Shining Five' eight times. 
• Stoltzman recorded career-high 41 points versus Northern State on Jan. 17. It is the first time an SMSU women's basketball player has scored at least 40 points in a game since Dec. 7, 2004, when Michele Bruns scored 40 points against St. Cloud State. 
• It also marks the most points in an NSIC WBB contest since Jan. 18, 2020.  
• Ranks second in the nation in single-game high in points (41), while ranking No. 11 in field goals made, No. 16 in points, and No. 20 field goal pct. 

PEYTON BLANDIN NOTES 
• Has started every game and is averaging 15.8 ppg and 4.2 rpg. 
• Leads the team with 46 3-pointers and ranks third on the team with 112 field goals made. 
• 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 11 games and is averaging 3.3 ppg and 2.7 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 19 games and is averaging 2.4 ppg and 2.0 rpg. 
• Scored a season-high nine points on three field goals vs. Augsburg on Nov. 16. 

ZOIE CENTERS NOTES 
• Has played in 13 games adding 16 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. 
• Tallied 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists last season. 

BRYLEE IVERSON NOTES 
• Has played in 14 games and is averaging 1.6 ppg and 1.7 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 19 games with one start and is averaging 6.7 ppg and 2.4 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 8.1 ppg and 1.8 rpg as a true freshman. 
• Ranks second on the team with 35 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 12 games adding 10 points, four assists, and four rebounds. 
• Scored a season-high six points vs. Bethany Lutheran on Nov. 30. 

NATALIE NIELSEN NOTES  
• Has started every game and is averaging 10.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, and 1.6 bpg. 
• Ranks fourth 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 19 games with 19 starts, missing one game due to injury. 
• Leads SMSU averaging 19.1 ppg and 4.3 assists per game.  
• Also averages 6.3 rpg and 2.0 spg. 
• Named NSIC Player of the Week four times this season (Nov. 25, Dec. 23, Jan. 13, Jan. 20) 
• Honored as the WBCA/ D2CIDA Division II Player of the Week on Jan. 21. 
• Recorded a career-high 41 points on 15-of-19 shooting, with eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals versus Northern State on Jan. 17. 

AUDREY SWANSON NOTES 
• Has started every game and is averaging 14.8 ppg , 9.1 rpg, and 1.5 apg. 
• Scored a career-high 24 points with four rebounds vs. Bemidji State on Jan. 24. 
• Has secured eight 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 3.7 ppg and 3.3 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 9-1 at home this season after finishing 11-5 at home in 2023-24 and 11-4 in 2022-23. 
• The Mustangs are 7-1 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    9-1    46.5    36.6    79.5    44.3    85.6    11.6      
Away    7-1    48.8    39.3    80.0    40.9    82.6    16.5 
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 306-428 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 1,406 games compiling an all-time record of 677-719. 
• 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: 4-16 overall, 2-12 NSIC 
• Head Coach: Nate Vogel, 1st season, 4-16 
• AU is 4-16 on the season and last played on Jan. 25 earning a 71-67 victory over Minnesota Crookston. 
• Olivia Hayenga leads AU in scoring averaging 11.9 points, while also recording 5.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. Hayenga is shooting 41.1 percent from the field, and 32.9 percent from beyond the arc. 
• Hannah Burg ranks second on the team averaging 11.6 points per game while averaging 4.2 rpg, and 3.6 assists per game. 
• Payton Hardy leads the team in rebounds per game with 6.2 while averaging 7.4 ppg.  
• AU is shooting 38 percent from the field, 28 percent from 3-point range, and 68 percent from the free throw line and is minus-9.3 in rebound margin. The Vikings average 60 points per game with a minus-13.2 scoring margin. 

SIOUX FALLS NOTES   
• 2024-25 Record: 12-9 overall, 8-6 NSIC 
• Head Coach: Travis Traphagen, 17th season, 296-182 
• Sioux Falls is 12-9 on the season and last played on Jan. 25 earning a 77-54 victory over Bemidji State. 
• Kami Wadsworth leads USF in scoring averaging 17.1 points, while also recording 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. Wadsworth is shooting 45.5 percent from the field, and 35.6 percent from beyond the arc. 
• Alexis Rose ranks second on the team averaging 10.3 points per game, while also recording 3.8 rpg.  
• Aby Phipps ranks third on the team averaging 9.0 points per game, while also recording 6.9 rpg. 
• Sioux Falls is shooting 43 percent from the field, 38 percent from 3-point range, and 75 percent from the free throw line and is plus-3.7 in rebound margin. The Cougars average 74 points per game with a plus-6.7 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 202-171 (.542) in 373 games with 15 winning seasons.