THE LOOK AHEAD 
• The No. 25 Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (12-2, 6-2 NSIC) returns to the R/A facility hosting MSU Moorhead (6-8, 4-4 NSIC) and Minot State (4-11, 3-5 NSIC). 
• SMSU begins the weekend versus the Dragons on Friday, with tip-off set for 5:30 p.m. 
• The Mustangs wrap up the weekend on Saturday with a 3:30 p.m. tip-off against the Beavers.  
• A preview for MSUM and MSU 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 
• Friday will be the 90th meeting between MSUM and SMSU, with the Dragons holding a 45-44 advantage in a series that began in 1973. 
• The teams met twice a season ago, splitting the season series 1-1. 
• SMSU is 26-14 all-time at home versus MSUM. 
• Saturday will be the 14th meeting between MSU and SMSU, with the Mustangs leading 9-5 in a series that started in 2011. 
• SMSU took both games in the season series last year, winning 80-42 in Minot, N.D. before earning a 78-61 victory at home. 
• SMSU is 4-3 all-time at home versus MSU. 
 
SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB 
• Tom Webb is in his ninth season as head coach at SMSU with a 108-116 record, including 78-94 in NSIC play.  
• Webb is 199-239 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 (19.1), field goal pct. (48.7), and rebound margin (7.9), and 3-point field goal pct. (38.6), while ranking second in the league in scoring offense (84.7) and in rebounds (42.5). SMSU ranks third in assists per game (15.79), and fourth in blocked shots per game (3.86). 
• Bri Stoltzman ranks fourth in the league in scoring (17.0) and second in field goal pct. (55.7), while Peyton Blandin ranks third in field goal pct. (50.0), fifth in 3-pt field goals per game (2.3) and sixth in scoring (16.6). Audrey Swanson ranks first in rebounding (9.0), fifth in field goal pct. (49.4), and ninth in scoring (14.4). Natalie 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 six times this season. 
• SMSU dished out a season-high 23 assists twice this year and has recorded 20 or more assists three times 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 17.0 ppg while leading the team in field goals made, assists, and steals. 
• Peyton Blandin ranks second averaging 16.6 ppg, leads the Mustangs with 32 3-pointers and scored a career-high 27 points versus Wayne State on Nov. 26. 
• Audrey Swanson ranks third on the team averaging 14.4 ppg and leads the team in rebounding with 9.0 rpg. She has also recorded six double-doubles. 
• Natalie Nielsen averages 10.9 ppg and 6.4 rpg and leads the SMSU defense with 2.1 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 9.6 ppg and ranks second on the team with 30 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, 39 percent from 3-point range, 76 percent from the free throw line, and is plus-7.9 in rebound margin. The Mustangs average 85 points per game with a plus-19.1 scoring margin. 

SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS  
• In the latest Division II national statistics (Jan. 7), SMSU ranks first in field goal pct. (48.7), fourth in scoring offense (84.7), eighth in 3-point field goal pct. (38.6), and No. 10 in scoring margin (19.1). 
• Audrey Swanson ranks No. 15 nationally with six double-doubles and No. 13 in defensive rebounds per game (7.5), while Natalie Nielsen ranks No. 13 in blocks (29) and No. 17 in blocks per game (2.07). 
• Nicole Maenke leads the nation in 3-point field goal pct. (56.6), while Bri Stoltzman sits at No. 23 in field goal pct. (55.7). 
• SMSU in the latest NCAA stats can be found on pages 19-20. 

SMSU IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS 
• For the second consecutive week, SMSU is ranked in the weekly Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Top 25 poll. SMSU last appeared in the WBCA Top 25 at No. 25 on Dec. 31, 2024. 
• SMSU is one of three Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference teams ranked in this week's poll with Minnesota State at No. 11 and Concordia-St. Paul at No. 24. 

LAST TIME OUT  
• SMSU used a big second quarter to earn an 83-62 victory over the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles on Jan. 3 inside the Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston, Minn. 
• Peyton Blandin led the SMSU offense with a game-high 23 points on 69 percent shooting from the field including 71 percent from three, eight rebounds, and three assists. Bri Stoltzman recorded her second double-double of the season with 20 points and a career-high 12 rebounds. Nicole Maenke connected on three 3-pointers to finish with 12 points. Audrey Swanson finished with 12 points and eight rebounds. 
• SMSU finished the night shooting 52 percent (33 of 64) from the field while connecting on 10 of 19 (53 percent) 3-point attempts.  

PEYTON BLANDIN NOTES 
• Has started every game and is averaging 16.6 ppg and 4.4 rpg. 
• Leads the team with 32 3-pointers and ranks fourth on the team with 33 made free throws. 
• 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 eight games and is averaging 2.9 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 13 games and is averaging 2.5 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 10 games adding 12 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. 
• Tallied 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists last season. 

BRYLEE IVERSON NOTES 
• Has played in 11 games and is averaging 1.7 ppg and 1.5 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 13 games with one start and is averaging 6.4 ppg and 2.8 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 9.6 ppg and 1.9 rpg as a true freshman. 
• Ranks second on the team with 30 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 nine 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 10.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg, and 2.1 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 13 games with 13 starts, missing one game due to injury. 
• Leads SMSU averaging 17.0 ppg and 3.8 assists per game.  
• Also averages 5.9 rpg and 1.7 spg. 
• Named NSIC Player of the Week twice this season (Nov. 25, Dec. 23) 
• 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 14.4 ppg , 9.0 rpg, and 1.9 apg. 
• Scored a career-high 23 points with eight rebounds vs. Chadron State (Neb.) on Nov. 20. 
• Has secured six 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 4.4 ppg and 2.9 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 5-1 at home this season after finishing 11-5 at home in 2023-24 and 11-4 in 2022-23. 
• The Mustangs are 5-1 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    5-1    47.1    36.4    78.1    44.3    86.7    11.0      
Away    5-1    49.9    39.9    78.4    41.0    85.2    16.8 
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 300-428 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 1,400 games compiling an all-time record of 671-719. 
• 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. 

MSU MOORHEAD NOTES   
• 2024-25 Record: 6-8 overall, 4-4 NSIC 
• Head Coach: Karla Nelson, 25th season, 418-265
• MSUM is 6-8 on the season and last played on Jan. 4 suffering a 74-50 loss to Minnesota Duluth. 
• Natalie Jens leads MSUM in scoring averaging 11.9 points, while also recording 4.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. Jens is shooting 28.8 percent from the field, and 34.9 percent from beyond the arc. 
• Abby Berge ranks second on the team averaging 10.2 points per game. Berge also ranks second on the team with 5.6 rpg.  
• Terryn Johnson leads the team in rebounds averaging 8.4 per game while averaging 10.1 ppg. 
• MSUM is shooting 35 percent from the field, 28 percent from 3-point range, and 67 percent from the free throw line and is plus-4.3 in rebound margin. The Dragons average 59 points per game with a minus-3.5 scoring margin. 

 MINOT STATE NOTES   
• 2024-25 Record: 4-11 overall, 3-5 NSIC 
• Head Coach: Ryan Clark, 1st season, 4-11 
• MSU is 4-11 on the season and last played on Jan. 4 suffering a 95-78 loss to then-No.10 Minnesota State. 
• Emma Mogen leads MSU in scoring averaging 11.1 points, while also recording 4.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Mogen is shooting 42.1 percent from the field, and 31.3 percent from beyond the arc. 
• Lara Dobbins ranks second on the team averaging 10.1 points per game. Dobbins also ranks second on the team with 3.8 rpg.  
• MSU is shooting 40 percent from the field, 32 percent from 3-point range, and 68 percent from the free throw line and is minus-7.6 in rebound margin. The Dragons average 62 points per game with a minus-9.9 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 198-171 (.537) in 369 games with 15 winning seasons.