THE NCAA TOURNAMENT 
• The No. 7 seed Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (26-4) opens play at the NCAA Central Region Tournament in Pittsburg, Kan., on Friday, March 14, facing the No. 2 seed Concordia-St. Paul (29-2), starting at 2:30 p.m. at the John Lance Arena on the campus of Pittsburg State.   
• The winner of Friday's game will advance to the semifinals on Saturday to face either No. 3 seed Fort Hays State or No. 6 seed Southern Nazarene at 5 p.m. with the championship game set for Monday at 7 p.m.  
• SMSU is making its third appearance in the NCAA tournament and first since 2002. 
• SMSU will be facing CSP for the second time this season, after suffering a 72-58 loss at home on Dec. 7.  
• SMSU's win versus MSU Moorhead (Mar. 1, 2025) was its 26th of the season setting a school record for victories in a season surpassing the previous mark of 25 set by the 2000-01 squad. 

GAME COVERAGE  
• All tournament 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 VERSUS CENTRAL REGION FIELD  
• CSP and SMSU meet for the 68th time with CSP leading the series 46-21. The two teams met earlier this season with SMSU suffering a 72-58 loss in Marshall, Minn. 
• SMSU is 0-2 versus Pittsburg State; 0-4 versus Fort Hays State; 1-6 versus Missouri Western; 23-52 versus Minnesota State; SMSU has never played Southern Nazarene; SMSU has never played Harding. 

SMSU NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY  
• The NCAA tournament appearance for the Mustangs is the third in program history and the first since 2002.  
• SMSU is 2-2 all-time in the NCAA tournament, losing in the first round in 2001, before advancing to the region championship game in 2002. 

MUSTANGS SET SCHOOL RECORD FOR WINS 
•SMSU's win versus MSU Moorhead (Mar. 1, 2025) was its 26th of the season setting a school record for victories in a season surpassing the previous mark of 25 set by the 2000-01 squad. 

MUSTANGS SET NUMEROUS TEAM RECORDS 
•SMSU has set a program single-season record for points scored with 2,407, breaking the previous record of 2,325 set by last season's team. 
•SMSU is averaging 83 points per game, which would break the previous record of 76.9 set by the 1999-2000 team. 
•SMSU has made a team record 878 field goals this season breaking the previous mark of 863 field goals made by the 1987-88 team. 
•SMSU is currently shooting 46.9 percent from the field, which ranks first in team history. The 2000-01 team shot 46.2 percent ranking first all-time. 

SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB 
• Tom Webb is in his ninth season as head coach at SMSU with a 122-118 record, including 92-96 in NSIC play.   
• Webb is 213-241 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.  

SMSU IN THE FINAL NSIC STATISTICS  
• In the final NSIC stats (league games only), SMSU ranked first in scoring margin (17.4), first in rebound margin (7.7), first in rebounds (42.6), first in free throw pct. (79.1), and first in field goal pct. (46.9), while second in the league in scoring offense (82.9), and second in 3-point field goal pct. (36.1). SMSU ranked seventh in assists per game (13.86).  
• Bri Stoltzman ranked first in the league in field goal pct. (54.0), second in scoring (21.4) and third in assists per game (4.2), while Peyton Blandin ranked fifth in 3-pt field goal pct. (35.4), 10th in scoring (14.9), and 11th in field goal pct. (42.2). Audrey Swanson ranked first in rebounding (9.4), third in field goal pct. (50.9), and ninth in scoring (15.2). Natalie Nielsen ranked fourth in the conference in blocks per game (1.4).  
• SMSU shot a season-high 57 percent versus Bethany Lutheran and has shot 50 percent or higher eight times this season.  
• SMSU dished out a season-high 23 assists twice this year and has recorded 20 or more assists five times this season. 

MUSTANGS BY THE NUMBERS 
• On the season, SMSU has four players averaging double figures in scoring, and five averaging over six points per game. Bri Stoltzman leads the way at 21.6 ppg while leading the team in field goals made, assists, and steals.  
• Audrey Swanson ranks second on the team averaging 15.6 ppg and leads the team in rebounding with 9.5 rpg. She has also recorded 15 double-doubles.  
• Peyton Blandin ranks third averaging 14.8 ppg, leads the Mustangs with 68 3-pointers and scored a career-high 27 points versus Wayne State on Nov. 26. 
• Natalie Nielsen averages 10.9 ppg and 7.2 rpg and leads the SMSU defense with 1.4 bpg. Nielsen scored a career-high 28 points with eight rebounds versus then-No. 12 Minnesota State on Dec. 13. Nielsen pulled down a career-high 17 rebounds versus Wayne State on Feb. 11.  
• True freshman Nicole Maenke is fifth on SMSU with 6.6 ppg and ranks second on the team with 43 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 47 percent from the field, 35 percent from 3-point range, 79 percent from the free throw line, and is plus-7.4 in rebound margin. The Mustangs average 83 points per game with a plus-16.1 scoring margin. 

SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS  
• In the latest Division II national statistics (Mar. 10), SMSU ranks third in field goal pct. (46.9), fourth in scoring offense (82.7), 12th in scoring margin (16.1), and 13th in 3-point field goal pct. (35.2). 
• Audrey Swanson ranks No. 14 nationally with 15 double-doubles and No. 16 in defensive rebounds per game (7.4), while Natalie Nielsen ranks No. 47 in blocks (42) and Peyton Blandin sits at No. 42 in 3-pointers made (68). 
• Bri Stoltzman sits at sixth in field goals made (236), and seventh in points (625), in points per game (21.6), and No. 27 in field goal pct. (53.9). 
• SMSU in the latest NCAA stats can be found on pages 20-21. 

SMSU IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS 
• The Mustangs dropped one spot to No. 18 in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Top 25 poll released on Tuesday. 
• SMSU is one of two NSIC teams ranked in the WBCA poll. Concordia-St. Paul is ranked No. 8.   

STOLTZMAN, SWANSON, AND BLANDIN TABBED ALL-NSIC 
• The NSIC announced on Thursday (Feb. 27) that senior Bri Stoltzman has been named NSIC Player of Year and All-NSIC first team, while junior Audrey Swanson was named All-NSIC first team. Senior Peyton Blandin tabbed All-NSIC second team. 

STONE COLD STOLTZMAN 
• Named 2024-25 NSIC Player of the Year announced by the conference on Feb. 27. Stoltzman was also named on the All-NSIC First team.  
• Stoltzman was honored as the WBCA/ D2CIDA Division II Player of the Week on Jan. 21. 
• 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. 
•She broke her own single season scoring record of 579 points she set last season in 31 games. Following Saturday's (Mar. 1) 30-point effort, Stoltzman has scored 609 points in 28 games played. 
•Stoltzman also set the program single season record for field goals made during the victory. She now has connected on 230 field goals made, moving past Lillie Brown, who scored 228 during the 1994-95 season.  

PEYTON BLANDIN NOTES 
• Named 2024-25 All-NSIC Second Team  
• Has started every game and is averaging 14.8 ppg and 4.1 rpg. 
• Leads the team with 68 3-pointers and ranks third on the team with 156 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 15 games and is averaging 2.4 ppg and 2.2 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 29 games and is averaging 2.2 ppg and 1.8 rpg. 
• Scored a season-high nine points on three field goals vs. Augsburg on Nov. 16. 

ZOIE CENTERS NOTES 
• Has played in 18 games adding 25 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. 
• Tallied 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists last season. 

BRYLEE IVERSON NOTES 
• Has played in 18 games and is averaging 1.4 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 29 games with two starts and is averaging 5.9 ppg and 2.3 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 6.6 ppg and 1.9 rpg as a true freshman. 
• Ranks second on the team with 43 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 17 games adding 10 points, five assists, and five 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, 7.2 rpg, and 1.4 bpg. 
• Ranked 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. Recorded a career-high 17 rebounds at Wayne State on Feb. 11. 

BRI STOLTZMAN NOTES  
• Named NSIC Player of the Year and All-NSIC First Team 
• Has played in 29 games with 29 starts, missing one game due to injury. 
• Leads SMSU averaging 21.6 ppg and 4.2 assists per game.  
• Also averages 6.2 rpg and 2.1 spg. 
• She broke her own single season scoring record of 579 points she set last season in 31 games. Following Saturday's (Mar. 1) 30-point effort, Stoltzman has scored 609 points in 28 games played. 
• Named NSIC Player of the Week seven times this season (Nov. 25, Dec. 23, Jan. 13, Jan. 20, Feb. 3, Feb. 10, Feb. 17) 
• 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 
• Named All-NSIC First Team 
• Has started every game and is averaging 15.6 ppg, 9.5 rpg, and 1.7 apg. 
• Has secured 15 double-doubles this season. 
• Scored a career-high 27 points with nine rebounds at UMary on Feb. 21. 
• 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 played in 30 games with 29 starts and is averaging 2.9 ppg and 3.0 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 12-1 at home this season after finishing 11-5 at home in 2023-24 and 11-4 in 2022-23. 
• The Mustangs are 11-2 in road games this season after recording a 7-6 mark in road games in 2023-24. 
• SMSU is 3-1 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    12-1    47.1    35.7    80.0    43.7   85.2    12.1      
Away      11-2    46.4    36.5    81.5    41.7    81.3    14.3 
Neutral   3-1    47.9    27.4    75.1    38.8    79.0    23.0 

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 314-430 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 1,418 games compiling an all-time record of 696-722. 
• 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. 

SMSU IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT   
March 9, 2001 - L, St. Cloud State, 80-74 
March 7, 2002 - W, Nebraska-Kearney, 67-57 
March 8, 2002 - W, North Dakota, 66-57 
March 9, 2002 - L, South Dakota State - North Central Region Championship