THE LOOK AHEAD

The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (10-7, 8-4 NSIC) host the final two games of the team's four-game home stretch this weekend.

The Mustangs host MSU Moorhead (9-7, 6-6 NSIC) at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23.

SMSU will then host Minnesota Crookston (4-13, 3-8 NSIC) on 'Tropical Night' the following Saturday at 5 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 MSU Moorhead for the 92nd time in school history with the Mustangs holding a 46-45 advantage.

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

Tom Webb holds a 6-6 record against the Dragons as coach of the Mustangs.

The Mustangs will face Minnesota Crookston for the 41st time with the Mustangs holding a 27-13 advantage.

SMSU has won the last six meetings between the Golden Eagles and have won the last four played in the R/A Facility.

Coach Webb is 7-2 against Minnesota Crookston as SMSU head coach.

MUSTANGS SPLIT ROAD TRIP MATCHUPS

SMSU defeated the Minot State Beavers 92-73 last Friday night, shooting 57 percent from the floor (36 of 63), the team's highest mark this season. Kylan Gerads led the way for the Mustangs scoring 21 points on 9 of 13 shooting with five rebounds and four steals. Natalie Nielsen added 17 points and six rebounds, while Brynn Busse scored a career-high 14 points, shooting a perfect 4 of 4 from deep.

The Mustangs followed that performance by defeating the UMary Marauders 89-75. Audrey Swanson had a dominant performance, leading the team with 28 points and a season-high 16 rebounds, shooting 8 of 12 from the field, and 10 of 11 from the charity stripe. Nicole Maenke added 21 points going a perfect 9 of 9 from the free throw line, and Natalie Nielsen recorded her sixth double double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB

Tom Webb is in his 10th season as head coach at SMSU with a 134-126 record, including 99-99 in NSIC play. 

Webb is 225-249 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 (82.7), first in 3-point percentage (39.3) second in 3-pointers made (120), second in team field goal percentage (46.6), and third in rebounding margin (5.7).

Nicole Maenke is first in free throw percentage (94.5), fifth in 3-pointers per game (2.2), seventh in field goal percentage (46.4), eighth in 3-point percentage (37.1), and No. 13 in scoring (16.8).

Audrey Swanson is second in rebound average (8.5), eighth in 3-pointers per game (2.0), ninth in 3-point percentage (36.7) No. 12 in scoring average (17.4), and No. 19 in assists per game (2.8).

Natalie Nielsen is second in free throw percentage (92.5), third in fied goal percentage (56.1) and fourth in rebounding (7.7).

SMSU has shot 50 percent or better from the field four times this season, shooting a season-high 57 percent and dishing out a season-high 20 assists against Minot State (1/16).

SMSU has 18 or more assists in five games this season.

MUSTANGS BY THE NUMBERS

SMSU has four players averaging double figures in points, with Audrey Swanson leading the team averaging 16.9 ppg. 

Nicole Maenke with seven 20+ point games is second on the team with 16.2 ppg, while sophomore Kylan Gerads has five games of 20+ points and averages 12.9 ppg.

Natalie Nielsen averages both 12.7 ppg and 8.3 rpg with six double doubles on the season while Brynn Busse leads the Mustangs in steals with 17.

The Mustangs are shooting 44 percent from the field, 36 percent from 3-point shots, 79 percent from the free throw line and are +4.7 in the rebound margin. SMSU is averaging 74 ppg while opponents are averaging 70 ppg.

SWANSON NAMED NSIC SOUTH DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Audrey Swanson was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference South Division Player of the Week on Monday after her performances in the past weekend.

Swanson averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds shooting 56 percent from the floor (13 of 23) in the Mustangs wins over Minot State and UMary.

On Saturday against UMary, Swanson scored a game-high 28 points on 8 of 12 shooting, making 10 of 11 free throws, and grabbing a season-high 16 rebounds.

SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS 

In the Division II national statistics (AS OF JAN. 20), SMSU ranks at 11th in 3-point percentage (36.2), 12th in 3-pointers per game (8.4), 13th in free throw percentage (79.4), 28th in field goal percentage (44.3) and 42nd in scoring offense (73.6)

Nicole Maenke is third in free throw percentage (92.5).

Natalie Nielsen is 16th in free throw percentage (89.3) and 32nd in double doubles (6).

Audrey Swanson is 34th in defensive rebounds per game (6.7) 42nd in field goals attempted (240), and 49th in field goals made (103).

KENNADI BUCHHOLZ NOTES

Appeared in 10 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 17 games, starting in three.

Averaging 5.2 ppg and 2.1 rpg.

Career-high 14 points against Minot State (1/16) shooting 4-4 from 3-point range.

Four 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 17 games.

Shooting 44.1 percent from the floor (82 of 186) and 38 percent from 3-point range (23 of 61).

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

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

Five 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 transfering to SMSU.

ALLIE HAABALA NOTES

Appeared in all games this season averaging 13.8 minutes as a true freshman.

Shooting 44 percent from the field (21 of 48) and 38.5 percent from 3-point range (5 of 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 17 games, averaging 32.4 minutes per game.

46.6 percent (89 of 191) shooting from the field, 34.6 percent from 3-point range (36 of 104).

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

Eight assists against Minot State (1/16) 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 11 games, totaling 38 minutes

Two rebounds vs. Sioux Falls (11/25), two assists against Minot State (1/16).

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

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

NATALIE NIELSEN NOTES 

Started in 15 games, missed two due to injury.

52.7 percent (68 of 129 from the field), averaging 12.7 ppg. 

89.3 percent free throw shooter (50 of 56)

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 transfering to SMSU.

LOGAN SMIDT NOTES

Appeared in six games as a true freshman.

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

AUDREY SWANSON NOTES

Started in 16 games this season, missing one due to injury.

43 percent shooter from the floor (103 of 240) averaging 16.9 ppg.

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

Season-high 16 rebounds against UMary (1/17).

Seven 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 33.9 minutes.

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

Grabbed five rebounds in two games, four assists in two games.

Season-high eight assists against UMary (1/17).

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 eight games this season.

Three points against Minot State (1/16)

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

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 15 games this season, averaging 9.7 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.

 

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 209-173 (.548) in 381 games with 16 winning seasons. 

 

MSU MOORHEAD  NOTES  

2025-26 Record: 9-7 overall, 6-6 NSIC

Head Coach: Karla Nelson, 26th season (426-273)

Senior forward Terryn Johnson, a Preseason 'Player to Watch', leads the Dragons averaging 12.9 ppg, shooting 54 percent from the field (76 of 141) and 7 rpg. In a winning effort over Northern State on Dec. 18, Johnson scored a season-high 24 points with four rebounds and two steals.

Sophomore guard Ashton Safranski was selected as the NSIC North Division Player of the Week on Monday, averaging 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and 3.5 steals per game in wins over Augustana and Wayne State. Safranski averages 11.1 ppg and 5.3 rpg this season.

The Dragons finished the 2024-25 season with a 14-16 record, holding an 11-11 record in NSIC play. MSU was picked to finish seventh in the annual NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll, and first in the NSIC North.

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON NOTES  

2025-26 Record: 4-13 overall, 3-8 NSIC

Head Coach: Natalie Moynihan, 3rd season (22-53)

Senior guard Emma Miller, the NSIC North Division Preseason 'Player of the Year' is third in the NSIC in scoring, averaging 191 ppg in conference games this season. Miller has scored 20 or more in seven of her last nine games, including a 33-point performance against Jamestown on Dec. 17.

Junior forward Rayna Klejeski is second on the Golden Eagles averaging 11.4 ppg. Klejeski is shooting 50.8 percent from the floor this season and is coming off a season-high 17 points against Augustana.

The Golden Eagles finished last season with a 9-20 record, going 7-15 in the NSIC, falling to Sioux Falls in the NSIC Tournament. Minnesota Crookston was picked to finish eleventh in the NSIC and sixth in the NSIC North.

 

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 321-433 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 1,438 games compiling an all-time record of 708-730.

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