THE LOOK AHEAD
The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (2-2, 0-0 NSIC) begins NSIC on Tuesday facing the University of Sioux Falls (3-2, 0-0 NSIC) in Sioux Falls, S.D., with game time slated for 5:30 p.m. at the Stewart Center.

The Mustangs then make their home debut on Sunday, Nov. 30, against Northern State University (3-1, 0-0 NSIC) in a non-conference match up at 1 p.m. inside the R/A Facility.

NSU will host Jamestown in its NSIC opener on Tuesday and then will play a non-conference game at Sioux Falls on Saturday before taking on SMSU.  

    GAME COVERAGE 
NSIC 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
SMSU will meet USF for the 45th time with the Mustangs holding a 24-20 advantage.

The Mustangs have won the last five meetings against the Cougars dating back to 2022 and are 15-8 all-time in Sioux Falls. 

Tom Webb holds an 8-9 record against Sioux Falls.

Sunday will mark the 75th meeting between Northern State and SMSU with the Wolves holding a 54-20 record against the Mustangs.

The series is tied 3-3 in the last six meetings between the two schools.

Webb is 4-6 against the Wolves.

    2025-26 SEASON OUTLOOK
SMSU was picked to finish fourth overall and fifth in the NSIC South Division in the annual 16-team Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll

SMSU is coming off a 28-5 season and a second-place finish in the NSIC with a 19-3 league mark. SMSU advanced to the NCAA tournament for the third team in team history and first since 2002. The Mustangs won their first two NCAA tournament games before losing in the region championship game to Pittsburg State (Kan.).
Forward Audrey Swanson is one of four seniors on the team and was named a 'Player to Watch' in the NSIC this season. Swanson was named to the All-NSIC first team last season after starting all 33 games and averaging 16.2 points per game. Swanson set a single-season program record with 317 rebounds, averaging 9.6 rebounds per game. She recorded 17 double-doubles, ranking seventh in Division II, and scored in double figures 30 times with six 20-point games.

Senior forward Maddie Thorfinnson appeared in all 33 games with 32 starts averaging 2.9 ppg and 2.9 rpg. Senior center Kennadi Buchholz appeared in 15 games last season averaging 2.4 ppg and 2.2 rpg, while senior guard Zoie
Centers returns after appearing in 18 games a season ago.

Junior forward Natalie Nielsen started all 33 games last season, scoring 10.5 ppg game and averaging 7.3 rpg, the second most on the team. Nielsen, who led the squad with 48 blocked shots, set a team single-season record shooting 59 percent from the field and set a team single-season record with 110 offensive rebounds.

Junior guard Brynn Busse played in 32 games last season and averaged 2.1 ppg and 1.6 rpg, while sophomores Brylee Iverson and Allison Milbrandt both gained valuable experience, playing in 18 games and 17 games respectively. Sophomore guard Nicole Maenke played in all 33 games last season and averaged 6.2 ppg and 1.7 rpg. She ranked second on the team with 45 3-pointers including setting a program single-game record for 3-point field goal percentage making all six shots at Winona State. Sophomore Elizabeth Wagner returns after sitting out last season due to injury, while her sister Christina Wagner is also back after missing nearly all last season with an injury.

    SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB
Tom Webb is in his 10th season as head coach at SMSU with a 126-121 record, including 91-95 in NSIC play. 

Webb is 217-244 overall in his 18th 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 2024-25, SMSU advanced to the NSIC championship, and the NCAA Central Region Championship, the first time for Coach         Webb at SMSU.

The team finished with 28 victories a season ago, the most in a single season in program history.

SMSU also recorded a second place finish in the NSIC last season posting a 19-3 league mark, the programs most conference wins in a season.

    2025-26 MUSTANGS BY THE NUMBERS
SMSU has four players averaging double figures in scoring this season, with Kylan Gerads leading the team averaging 14.5 ppg. 

Audrey Swanson with two 20+ point games is second on the team with 14 ppg, while sophomore Nicole Maenke has three games of 16 points and averages 13.3 ppg.

Natalie Nielsen leads the team in rebounds and averages both 10 ppg and 10 rpg.

Brynn Busse is tied with Nielsen for the most steals on the team with five.

The Mustangs are shooting 38 percent from the field, 32 percent from 3-point shots, 67 percent from the free throw line and are plus-6.7 in the rebound margin. SMSU is averaging 63 ppg while opponents are averaging 61 ppg.

    MUSTANG TIP-OFF TIDBITS
SMSU opened the season ranked No. 18 in the preseason WBCA Top 25. SMSU, which finished a season best No. 15 in the final 2024-25 poll, was ranked in the WBCA Top 25 poll 12 times last season.

In the final 2024-25 NSIC stats (league games only), SMSU led the NSIC in field-goal pct. (46.7), free throw pct. (78.9), and rebounds (42.0 rpg), finished second in scoring offense (82.3 ppg), scoring margin (15.3), and three-point field-goal pct. (35.3)

Audrey Swanson was eighth in scoring averaging 16.2 ppg, first in rebounds grabbing 9.6 boards per game, and third in total field goal percentage (49.8). 

SMSU shot 50 percent or higher eight times last season, and hit a season-high 57 percent against Bethany Lutheran.

SMSU dished out a season-high 23 assists twice last season and recorded 20 or more assists five times.

    SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS 
In the final 2024-25 Division II national statistics, SMSU ranked fourth in both field goal percentage (46.7) and scoring offense (82.3), ninth in free throw percentage (78.9), No. 12 in three point percentage (35.3),  No. 13 in scoring margin (15.3) and No. 15 in rebounds per game (41.9).
Audrey Swanson was seventh in Division II with 17 double doubles, and was in the top 50 in rebounds per game (9.6), total rebounds (317), and field goal percentage (49.7).
Natalie Nielsen was in the top 50 in total blocks (48).

    KENNADI BUCHHOLZ NOTES
Appeared in two games this season totaling four minutes.
Recorded 10 points and six rebounds against Bethany Lutheran last season (11/30/24). 

    BRYNN BUSSE NOTES
Appeared in all four games this season, 81 total minutes.
Averaging 6 ppg and 2.8 rpg.
10 points and seven rebounds against Washburn (11/15/25).
Three steals vs. Central Oklahoma (11/14/25).

    ZOIE CENTERS NOTES
Has not appeared this season.
Scored six points against Augustana last season (1/30/25).

    KYLAN GERADS NOTES
Started in all four games.
Shooting 47.7 percent from the floor (21/44) and 47.1 percent from 3-point range (8/17).
Season high 20 points, shooting 4-6 from 3-pointers against Tampa (11/8/25).
Career high 14 rebounds vs. Washburn (11/15/25).
Played last season at St. Cloud State averaging 8.0 ppg and 5.3 rpg. 

    ALLIE HAABALA NOTES
Has appeared in all games this season averaging 3.3 ppg. 
Seven points and three assists vs. Central Oklahoma (11/14/25).
Three rebounds against Alabama-Huntsville (11/7/25).

    BRYLEE IVERSON NOTES
Has appeared in four games this season. 
Recording three rebounds and one block against Washburn (11/15/25).
 
    NICOLE MAENKE NOTES
Started in all four games, averaging 32.5 minutes per game.
42.9 percent (21-49) shooting from the field.
Scored 16 points in three of four games.
Five rebounds vs. Washburn (11/15/25).
Three assists against Tampa (11/8/25).

    ALLISON MILBRANDT NOTES
Played  vs. Central Oklahoma (11/14/25).
Scored six points against Bethany Lutheran last season (11/30/24).

    NATALIE NIELSEN NOTES 
Started in all four games.
Shooting 41.9 percent (13-31 from the field), averaging 10 ppg.
81.3 percent free throw shooter (13-16)
Averaging 10 rpg.
Season high 13 points and 13 rebounds in two games.
Made game winning free throws with 0.1 seconds remaining against Tampa (11/8/25).

    LOGAN SMIDT NOTES
Appeared against Central Oklahoma (11/14/25).
Grabbed one rebound in the game.

    AUDREY SWANSON NOTES
Started in all four games this season
37.3 percent shooter from the floor (19-51) averaging 14 ppg.
Season-high 10 rebounds and seven assists against Tampa (11/8/25).
Two 20-point games this season, including season high 23 points against Central Oklahoma (11/14/25).

    MADDIE THORFINNSON NOTES
Started in every game this season.
Scored six points vs. Washburn (11/15/25).
Grabbed five rebounds in two games.
Four assists against Tampa (11/8/25).

    CHRISTINA WAGNER NOTES 
Played in three games this season.
Two rebounds vs. Central Oklahoma (11/14/25)

    ELIZABETH WAGNER NOTES 
Appeared in two games this season, tallying 18 minutes.
Three rebounds, one block, and one steal against Central Oklahoma (11/14/25).

    WORKING OVERTIME 
• SMSU is 13-30 all-time in overtime games and has not play one in the last two seasons. 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 12-1 at home last season and 11-5 at home in 2024-25
• The Mustangs are 1-0 in road games this season after recording an 11-3 mark in road games in 2024-25.
SMSU is currently 1-2 in neutral site games this season.
• The following is a statistical comparison of the Mustang team averages for home, away, and neutral games in 2025-26:
    W-L    FG%    3-FG%    FT%    REB    PTS    TO
Home    0-0    0.0    0.0    0.0    0.0    0.0    0.0 
Away    1-0    37.3    43.5    75.0    45.0    66.0    17.0
Neutral    1-2    38.2    28.8    63.6    40.7    62.5    13.7     

    SMSU ALL-TIME IN THE NSIC 
• The 2025-26 campaign marks the 47th season SMSU has competed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
• SMSU has an all-time record of 313-429 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 57th season of women's basketball in 2025-26.
• SMSU has played 1,425 games compiling an all-time record of 700-725.
• SMSU has recorded 31 winning seasons, including the last five seasons. 

    SIOUX FALLS NOTES  
2025-26 Record: 3-2 overall, 0-0 NSIC
Head Coach: Travis Traphagen, 18th season (304-189)
Sophomore guard Anna Vaaler currently leads the Cougars in ppg, averaging 22.8 and rpg with 10 boards. Vaaler is currently No. 11 in DII in points per game and scored 33 points against Fort Hays State earlier this season.
Sophomore guard Alexis Rose is second for Sioux Falls averaging 11.2 ppg. Rose is shooting 46 percent from the field, and scored 18 points in the Cougars' victory over Nebraska-Kearney on Nov. 18.
Sioux Falls was picked to finish third in both the NSIC and in the NSIC South division in the annual NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The Cougars finished the 2024-25 season with a 17-14 record, holding a 12-10 record in NSIC play.

    NORTHERN STATE NOTES  
• 2025-26 Record: 3-1 overall, 0-0 NSIC
• Head Coach: Paula Krueger, 8th season, 102-92. 
• NSU hosts Jamestown in its NSIC opener on Tuesday before playing at Sioux Falls in a non-conference game on Saturday. 
• Senior guard Izzy Moore, an NSIC Preseason 'Player to Watch' leads the Wolves averaging 16.3 ppg  and has a team-high six steals. Moore is shooting 50 percent from the field.
• Senior guard Morgan Fiedler is second on the team averaging 10.8 ppg and leads the Wolves in assists with 14.
• Northern State was picked to finish 10th overall in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll and fifth in the North Division.
• The Wolves finished the 2024-25 season with a 19-11 record, and a 15-7 record in the NSIC, reaching the NSIC Tournament Final.

    SMSU ALL-TIME INSIDE THE R/A FACILITY 
•The 2025-26 season marks the 30th year the R/A Facility has served as the home arena for SMSU women's basketball. 
•SMSU has an all-time record of 204-171 (.544) in 375 games with 16 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
    2024-25    12-1    10-1    2-0
    2025-26    0-0    0-0    0-0    
    Totals:     204-171    138-138    67-34