THE LOOK AHEAD

The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (12-7, 10-4 NSIC) continues NSIC play on the road with a pair of games this weekend.

The Mustangs face the Jamestown Jimmies (4-14, 2-12 NSIC) on Friday, Jan. 30, at 5:30 p.m.

SMSU then travel to Aberdeen, S.D., the next day to face the Northern State Wolves (10-10, 5-9 NSIC) at 4 p.m. in a rematch of a non-conference game between the two on Nov. 30.

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 and Jamestown will meet for only the sixth time, with the Mustangs holding a 5-0 advantage.

The two teams played for five years in a row from 1989-1993.

Coach Webb has not coached against Jamestown in his career.

Northern State and SMSU will meet for the 76th time with the Wolves holding a 55-20 record all time against the Mustangs.

The series is split 4-4 in the last eight meetings, however the Mustangs have not won in Aberdeen since 2008.

Tom Webb is 4-7 against NSU as the coach of the Mustangs.

MUSTANGS TAKE TWO AT HOME

SMSU defeated the Minnesota State Moorhead Dragons 61-53 last Friday night.

Natalie Nielsen led the way for SMSU with 20 points, her second game of 20 or more this season, shooting 9-11 from the field with eight rebounds. Kylan Gerads added 14 of her own, tying Nielsen with eight rebounds. Audrey Swanson scored 13 points, leading the team in steals with three. As a team the Mustangs shot 41 percent from the floor. The Dragons, led in scoring by Grace Massaquoi and Terryn Johnson with 11, shot 40 percent from the field.

The Mustangs followed that the next night, defeating the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles on Tropical Night 76-66. 

Audrey Swanson led the team in scoring with 20, her eighth game of 20 or more points this season, adding six boards and two steals. Natalie Nielsen had her seventh double double of the season with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Kylan Gerads added 16 points on 6 of 7 shooting and making all three 3-point attempts.

SMSU shot 24 of 50 from the floor in the game for a total of 48 percent and 43 percent from 3-point range (10 of 23) Emma Miller led the way for the Golden Eagles, scoring 19 points on 8 of 16 shooting. UMC shot 39 percent from the field in the contest. SMSU led by as many as 26 in the third quarter, and by 22 in the fourth quarter before UMC went on a 15-0 run to close the gap.

SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB

Tom Webb is in his 10th season as head coach at SMSU with a 136-126 record, including 101-99 in NSIC play. 

Webb is 227-249 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 team free throw percentage (82.8), second in 3-point percentage (38.8), third in field goal percentage (46.1) and 3-pointers made per game (8.8), and fourth in both scoring offense (75.4) and scoring margin (+4.7).

Nicole Maenke is first in free throw percentage (94.7), sixth in 3-point percentage (35.8), seventh in 3-pointers per game (2.1) and No. 15 in scoring average (15.6).

Audrey Swanson is fourth in rebound average (7.9), eighth in both 3-pointers per game (2.0) and 3-point percentage (35.6), and ninth in scoring average (17.2)

Natalie Nielsen is second in rebound average (8.2), and third in both field goal percentage (57.6) and free throw percentage (91.7).

 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).

MUSTANGS BY THE NUMBERS

SMSU has four players averaging double figures in points, with Audrey Swanson leading the team averaging 16.8 ppg. 

Nicole Maenke with seven 20+ point games is second on the team with 15.4 ppg, while sophomore Kylan Gerads has five games of 20+ points and averages 13.2 ppg.

Natalie Nielsen averages both 13.2 ppg and 8.6 rpg while shooting a team high 54.4 percent from the field.

The Mustangs are shooting 44 percent from the field, 36 percent from 3-point shots, 80 percent from the free throw line and are +5.1 in the rebound margin. SMSU is averaging 73 ppg while opponents are averaging 69 ppg.

SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS 

In the Division II national statistics (AS OF JAN. 27), SMSU ranks at seventh in free throw percentage (79.8), 11th in 3-pointers per game (8.5), 13th in 3-point percentage (36.2), 19th in field goal percentage (44.3) and 43rd in scoring offense (73.1).

Audrey Swanson is 30th in field goals attempted (272), 46th in field goals made (114) and 51st in defensive rebounds per game (6.4).

Natalie Nielsen is 15th in free throw percentage (89.1), 28th in double doubles (7) and 42nd in offensive rebounds per game (3.4)

Nicole Maenke is second in free throw percentage (92.8).

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 19 games, starting in three.

Averaging 5.1 ppg and 2.2 rpg.

Career-high 14 points against Minot State (1/16) shooting 4 of 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 19 games.

Shooting 45 percent from the floor (93 of 205) and 40 percent from 3-point range (29 of 72).

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

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

Five games of 20 or more points, two games of double-digit rebounds.

Played 29 games last season as a true freshman at 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 45 percent from the floor (23 of 51) and 44 percent from deep (7 of 16).

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 19 games, averaging 32.4 minutes per game.

45.2 percent (95 of 210) shooting from the field, 34 percent from 3-point range (39 of 115).

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 frehsman, shooting nearly 44 percent from deep (43.7, 68 of 149).

ALLISON MILBRANDT NOTES

Appeared in 13 games tallying 43 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 17 games, missed two due to injury.

54.4 percent (81 of 149) from the field, averaging 13.2 ppg.

89.1 percent free throw shooter (57 of 64)

Averaging 8.6 rpg, season-high 14 rebounds against Minnesota Crookston (1/24).

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 18 games this season, averaging 31.3 minutes, missing one game due to injury.

41.9 percent shooter from the floor (114 of 272) averaging 16.8 ppg.

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

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

Eight games of 20+ points, four games of double-digit rebounds, 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 34.1 minutes.

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

34 percent 3-point shooter (20 of 59).

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

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

Started 32 of 33 games last season.

Has played in 109 games across four seasons at SMSU.
 

CHRISTINA WAGNER NOTES 

Played in nine 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.

ELIZABETH WAGNER NOTES 

Appeared in 17 games this season, averaging 10.2 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 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 323-433 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 1,440 games compiling an all-time record of 710-730.

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

 

JAMESTOWN NOTES  

2025-26 Record: 4-14 overall, 2-12 NSIC

Head Coach: Thad Sankey, 8th season (127-102)

Freshman forward Allie Berns leads the Jimmies in scoring, averaging 13.8 ppg, and shooting 51 percent from the floor (97 of 190). Berns has five games of 20+ points, and dropped 31 points against Northern State on Jan. 3.

Sophomore forward Jessika Lofstrom leads Jamestown in rebounds averaging 6.4 boards per game. Lofstrom is averaging 8.1 ppg and is coming off a 24-point performance on Jan. 23 against St. Cloud State.

Jamestown is currently bottom of the NSIC standings with a 2-12 conference record. 

The Jimmies finished last season with a 19-11 record and a 7-8 record as a member of the North Star Athletic Association in NAIA. Jamestown was picked to finish 15th in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll.
 

NORTHERN STATE NOTES  

2025-26 Record: 10-10, 5-9 NSIC

Head Coach: Paula Krueger, 8th season (119-101)

Senior guard Izzy Moore, a preseason 'Player to Watch', leads the Wolves in both scoring and rebounding averaging 16.9 ppg and 6.4 rpg. Moore has seven games of 20+ points, but has been held to 10 or less in her last four games.

Senior forward Megan Counts is second on the team in scoring averaging 8.8 ppg. Counts has three games of 16+ points and two games with three steals.

Northern State is currently 10th in the NSIC standings with a 5-9 conference record.

Since the Nov. 30 meeting between the Wolves and Mustangs, NSU has a record of 6-8 including wins over Sioux Falls and Winona State.