THE LOOK AHEAD

The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (8-7, 6-4 NSIC) are back in Marshall this weekend, playing host to two NSIC North squads in part of a four-game home stand for the Mustangs.

SMSU faces the Minot State Beavers (7-10, 4-6) on Friday, Jan. 16, at 7:30 p.m.

SMSU then matchup with the UMary Marauders (14-5, 7-3 NSIC) the following Saturday at 7 p.m.

GAME COVERAGE 

Most 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

SMSU will meet Minot State for the 16th time in school history with the Mustangs holding a 10-5 advantage.

The Mustangs have won seven in a row against the Beavers dating back to 2019-20, and have won four of the last five matchups played in the R/A Facility.

Tom Webb holds an 8-2 record against MSU as coach of the Mustangs.

The Mustangs will face UMary for the 24th time with the Marauders holding a 14-9 advantage.

The series is split 3-3 in the last six meetings, however SMSU has won four of the last five matchups when played in the R/A Facility.

Coach Webb is 6-4 against UMary as SMSU head coach.

MUSTANGS SPLIT ROAD TRIP MATCHUPS

SMSU defeated the Bemidji State Beavers (7-7, 4-6 NSIC) last Friday 75-69. Audrey Swanson led the Mustangs with 23 points on 9-18 shooting from the floor, and 4-6 from beyond the arc. Nicole Maenke added 20 points of her own, going a perfect 9-9 from the free throw line.

The Mustangs were defeated Saturday by Minnesota Duluth (12-2, 10-0 NSIC) in a heart-breaker, 69-65. Kylan Gerads led the way with 20 points, shooting 7-10 from the field and 2-2 from downtown. Nicole Maenke dropped 13 points and once again went perfect from the charity stripe (6-6). Maddie Thorfinnson tied her career high in points, scoring 12, and was 3-6 from 3-point range.

SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB

Tom Webb is in his 10th season as head coach at SMSU with a 132-126 record, including 97-99 in NSIC play. 

Webb is 223-249 overall in his 16th 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.

MUSTANG TIP-OFF TIDBITS

In the current NSIC stats (league games only), SMSU is first in free throw percentage (83.4), second in 3-point percentage (36.9) third in 3-pointers made (86), fifth in rebounding margin (4.2), and fifth in team field goal percentage (44.7).

Nicole Maenke is first in free throw percentage (95.5), fourth in 3-pointers per game (2.5), fifth in 3-point percentage (39.1), No. 11 in scoring (16.9) and No. 12 in field goal percentage (46.4).

Audrey Swanson is sixth in rebound average (7.7), ninth in 3-pointers per game (2.0), No. 10 in 3-point percentage (34.0) No. 12 in scoring average (16.8), and No. 13 in assists per game (3.0).

Natalie Nielsen is second in free throw percentage (93.5) and seventh in rebounding (7.6).

SMSU has shot 50 percent from the field twice this season (Wayne State, Dec. 6, Concordia-St. Paul, Dec. 13).

SMSU dished out a season-high 19 assists against Wayne State and has had 18 or more assists in three games.

MUSTANGS BY THE NUMBERS

SMSU has four players averaging double figures in points, with Audrey Swanson leading the team averaging 16.4 ppg. 

Nicole Maenke with five 20+ point games is second on the team with 16.2 ppg, while sophomore Kylan Gerads has four games of 20+ points and averages 12.6 ppg.

Natalie Nielsen averages both 11.9 ppg and 8.3 rpg with five double doubles on the season.

Brynn Busse leads the Mustangs in steals with 17, and Maddie Thorfinnson leads the team in blocks with eight while shooting 34.7 percent from downtown.

The Mustangs are shooting 43 percent from the field, 34 percent from 3-point shots, 79 percent from the free throw line and are +3.6 in the rebound margin. SMSU is averaging 71 ppg while opponents are averaging 70 ppg.

SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS 

In the Division II national statistics (AS OF JAN. 13), SMSU ranks at 13th in free throw percentage (79.2), 16th in 3-pointers per game (8.3) and 46th in field goal percentage (42.9).

Nicole Maenke is second in free throw percentage (92.9), 36th in 3-pointers (35), and 43rd in 3-pointers attempted (98).

Natalie Nielsen is 16th in free throw percentage (89.4) and 34th in double doubles (5).

Audrey Swanson is 31st in field goals attempted (217), and 52nd in field goals made (90).

KENNADI BUCHHOLZ NOTES

Appeared in nine games this season.

Recorded two points in four separate games.

Four rebounds against Augustana (12/4), two blocks vs. Northern State (11/30).

Has played in 15 or more games in her three previous seasons with the Mustangs.

BRYNN BUSSE NOTES

Appeared in all 15 games, starting in three.

Averaging 4.7 ppg and 2.3 rpg.

Career-high 12 points against Augustana (12/4) shooting 4-5 from 3-point range.

Three games this season with double-digit points.

Four steals vs. Minnesota State (12/19).

75 games played across three seasons at SMSU.

ZOIE CENTERS NOTES

Has not appeared this season.

Scored six points against Augustana last season (1/30/25).

Played in 54 games across her four seasons at SMSU.

KYLAN GERADS NOTES

Started in all 15 games.

Shooting 42.6 percent from the floor (69-162) and 35 percent from 3-point range (19-54).

23 points against Winona State (12/14), tying her career-high.

Career-high 14 rebounds vs. Washburn (11/15).

Four games this season with 20+ points, two games of double digit rebounds.

Played 29 games last season as a true freshman for St. Cloud State, averaging 8 ppg and 5.3 rpg before transferring to SMSU.

ALLIE HAABALA NOTES

Appeared in all games this season averaging 14.7minutes as a true freshman.

Shooting 46 percent from the field (21-46) and 38.5 percent from 3-point range (5-13)

Nine points in back-to-back games (Sioux Falls, 11/25, Northern State 11/30).

Four assists against Sioux Falls (11/25).

BRYLEE IVERSON NOTES

Appeared in eight games this season, tallying 55 minutes.

Four points against Minnesota State (12/19).

Three rebounds, one block and one steal against Washburn (11/15).

Played 18 games last season for the Mustangs after redshirting her freshman season.

NICOLE MAENKE NOTES

Started in all 15 games, averaging 32.7 minutes per game.

46 percent (78-170) shooting from the field, 36 percent from 3-point range (35-98).

Career-high 28 points, with seven 3-pointers, and a season-high six rebounds against Sioux Falls (11/25).

Six assists against Wayne State (12/6) and three steals against Augustana (12/4).

Played in all 33 games last season as a true freshman, shooting nearly 44 percent from deep (43.7, 68-149)

ALLISON MILBRANDT NOTES

Appeared in nine games, totaling 29 minutes

Two rebounds vs. Sioux Falls (11/25).

Played in 15 games last season after redshirting her freshman season.

Six points against Bethany Lutheran (11/30/24).

NATALIE NIELSEN NOTES 

Started in 13 games, missed two due to injury.

50.5 percent (55-109 from the field), averaging 11.9 ppg. 89.4 percent free throw shooter (42-47)

Averaging 8.3 rpg, with three games of 13 rebounds.

Season high 26 points against Sioux Falls (1/3).

Made game winning free throws with 0.1 seconds remaining against Tampa (11/8/25).

Started all 33 games last season averaging 10.5 ppg and 7.3 rpg.

Spent two seasons at South Dakota State before transferring to SMSU.

LOGAN SMIDT NOTES

Appeared in five games as a true freshman.

Five points against Minnesota State (12/19) with one steal.

AUDREY SWANSON NOTES

Started in 14 games this season, missing one due to injury.

41.5 percent shooter from the floor (90-217) averaging 16.4 ppg.

Career-high 29 points and season-high 12 rebounds against Sioux Falls (11/25).

Six games of 20+ points, two games of seven assists.

Four steals against St. Cloud State (12/20).

Started in all 33 games last season, averaging 16.2 ppg, and leading the team in rebounding with 9.6 boards per game. Selected to the All-NSIC first team

Played in 98 games total across her four seasons at SMSU.

MADDIE THORFINNSON NOTES

Started in every game this season, averaging 33.7 minutes.

Tied her career high 12 points against Minnesota Duluth (1/10).

Grabbed five rebounds in two games,f our assists in two games.

Leads team in blocks with eight.

Has played in 109 games across four seasons at SMSU.

Started 32 of 33 games last season.

CHRISTINA WAGNER NOTES 

Played in seven games this season.

Four rebounds vs. Minnesota State (12/19/25)

Appeared in three games last season before sitting out due to injury.

Played in 17 games as a true freshman in 2023-24.

ELIZABETH WAGNER NOTES 

Appeared in 11 games this season, averaging 8.5 minutes per game.

Season-high eight points against Sioux Falls (1/3).

Five rebounds against Wayne State (12/6) and Concordia-St. Paul (12/13).

Missed all of last season due to injury.

Played in 30 games as a true freshman in 2023/24, averaging 3.6 ppg and 4.0 rpg.
 

MINOT STATE NOTES  

2025-26 Record: 7-10 overall, 4-6 NSIC

Head Coach: Ryan Clark, 2nd season (17-30)

Sophomore guard Taryn Hamling leads the Beavers averaging 16.2 ppg, shooting 38 percent from 3-point range, and is fifth in the NSIC averaging 2.4 steals in the Beavers 10 conference games. Hamling transferred to MSU from North Dakota State in the offseason, and has five games of 20+ points.

Junior guard Maya Aguilar, a Preseason 'Player to Watch' is second on the team in scoring, averaging 11.3 ppg, leading the Beavers in rebounds averaging 6.3 boards per game.

Minot State are currently 11th in the overall NSIC standings with a 4-6 conference record.

The Beavers finished the 2024-25 season with a 10-20 record, holding a 9-13 record in NSIC play. MSU was picked to finish ninth in the annual NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll, and fourth in the NSIC North.

UMARY NOTES  

2025-26 Record: 14-5 overall, 7-3 NSIC

Head Coach: Rick Neumann, 14th season (213-173)

Junior guard Bergan Kinnebrew currently leads the Marauders in scoring averaging 23.2 ppg, the third highest ppg in DII, while shooting 49 percent from the floor and 40 percent from beyond the arc. Kinnebrew has 4 games of 30+ points, and scored 41 in a loss against Central Washington.

Sophomore center Allison Undlin is second on the team in points, averaging 13.4 ppg, and leading the team in rebounds grabbing 7.9 rpg. Undlin scored 20 points in back to back games against Minnesota Crookston (12/11) and Minnesota State Moorhead (12/13).

UMary is currently fourth in the NSIC standings with a 7-3 conference record.

The Marauders finished last season with a 16-12 record, going 12-10 in the NSIC, falling to Minnesota State in the NSIC Tournament. UMary was picked to finish sixth in the NSIC and second in the NSIC North.
 

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 207-173 (.543) in 379 games with 16 winning seasons. 
 

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 319-433 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 1,436 games compiling an all-time record of 706-730.

• SMSU has recorded 31 winning seasons, including five of the past six seasons.