THE LOOK AHEAD

The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (7-6, 5-3 NSIC) is on the road this weekend facing a pair of NSIC North foes.

The Mustangs face Bemidji State (6-6, 3-5 NSIC) on Friday, Jan. 9, at 7:30 p.m. inside the BSU Gymnasium.

SMSU then matchup with Minnesota Duluth (10-2, 8-0 NSIC) the following Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in the Romano Gymnasium.

A preview for Bemidji State and Minnesota Duluth can be found on page 3. 

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 Bemidji State for the 83rd time in school history with the Mustangs holding a 47-35 advantage.

The Mustangs have won four of the last five meetings against the Beavers while winning each of the last four games played in Bemidji.

Tom Webb holds a 7-2 record against BSU as coach of the Mustangs.

The Mustangs will face UMD for the 84th time with the Bulldogs holding a 62-21 advantage.

Despite the lopsided record, SMSU has won three of the last four contests against the Bulldogs, including last seasons 89-63 victory in the Romano Gymnasium.

Coach Webb is 3-8 against UMD as SMSU head coach.

An all-time results list of Bemidji State and Minnesota Duluth can be found on page 18 and 19 respectively.

MUSTANGS AVENGE EARLY SEASON LOSS

SMSU defeated the Sioux Falls Cougars (8-5, 5-3 NSIC) in a rematch from Nov. 25, winning 87-79.

Natalie Nielsen scored a season-high 26 points on 8-15 shooting with 10 rebounds for her fifth double double of the season.

Nielsen was one of three Mustangs with 20+ points, with Audrey Swanson scoring 24 and leading the team in rebounds with 11, and Nicole Maenke putting up 21 points on 8-12 shooting from the floor.

Elizabeth Wagner scored a season high eight points on a perfect 4-4 shooting.

As a team the Mustangs shot 48 percent from the floor (33-68), 41 percent from 3-point range (9-22), and 86 percent from the free throw line (12-14), all while outrebounding the Cougars 41-30. 

USF, led by Krista Langager with a career high 30 points, shot 52 percent from the floor (34-66), 60 percent from 3-pointers (6-10) and 50 percent from the charity stripe (5-10). 

SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB

Tom Webb is in his 10th season as head coach at SMSU with a 131-125 record, including 96-98 in NSIC play. 

Webb is 222-248 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.

Webb's complete bio is found on page 17.

MUSTANG TIP-OFF TIDBITS

In the current NSIC stats (league games only), SMSU is first in free throw percentage (83.8), second in 3-point percentage (36.6) third in 3-pointers made (74), third in rebounding margin (5.5), and fifth in team field goal percentage (45.2).

Nicole Maenke is first in 3-pointers per game (2.9), third in free throw percentage (93.1), fourth in 3-point percentage (41.8), and is No. 11 in both scoring (17.0) and field goal percentage (48.3).

Audrey Swanson is fourth in rebound average (8.0), No. 12 in assists per game (3.1), No. 13 in 3-pointers per game (1.8), and No. 14 in scoring average (16.0).

Natalie Nielsen is first in free throw percentage (95.5), third in rebounding (8.1), fourth in field goal percentage (60.7), and No. 21 in scoring average (13.9).

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 Nicole Maenke leading the team averaging 16.2 ppg. 

Audrey Swanson with five 20+ point games is second on the team with 15.9 ppg, while sophomore Kylan Gerads has three games of 20+ points and averages 12.5 ppg.

Natalie Nielsen averages both 12.5 ppg and 8.8 rpg after her fifth double double on Saturday against Sioux Falls.

Brynn Busse leads the Mustangs in steals with 14, while Maddie Thorfinnson is tied with Nielsen for the most blocks with six.

The Mustangs are shooting 43 percent from the field, 34 percent from 3-point shots, 78 percent from the free throw line and are +4.3 in the rebound margin. SMSU is averaging 72 ppg while opponents are averaging 70 ppg.

SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS 

In the Division II national statistics (AS OF JAN. 6), SMSU ranks at No. 10 in 3-pointers per game (8.6), 14th in free throw percentage (78.5), and 44th in field goal percentage (43.0).

Nicole Maenke is 15th in free throw percentage (90.2), 26th in 3-point attempts (89), and 29th in 3-pointers made (33).

Natalie Nielsen is 19th in free throw percentage (89.5) and 28th in double doubles (5).

Audrey Swanson is 22nd in field goals attempted (199), and 43rd in field goals made (81).

• SMSU in the latest NCAA stats can be found on pages 20 and 21. 

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).

BRYNN BUSSE NOTES

Appeared in all 13 games, starting in two.

Averaging 4.8 ppg and 2.2 rpg.

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

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

ZOIE CENTERS NOTES

Has not appeared this season.

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

KYLAN GERADS NOTES

Started in all 13 games.

Shooting 42 percent from the floor (60-144) and 34 percent from 3-point range (17-50).

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

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

ALLIE HAABALA NOTES

Appeared in all games this season averaging 13.4 minutes as a true freshman.

Nine points in back-to-back games.

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).

NICOLE MAENKE NOTES

Started in all 13 games, averaging 32.4 minutes per game.

47 percent (70-149) shooting from the field, 37 percent from 3-point range (33-89).

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).

Three steals against Augustana (12/4).

ALLISON MILBRANDT NOTES

Appeared in seven games, totaling 21 minutes

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

NATALIE NIELSEN NOTES 

Started in 11 games.

54.3 percent (42-77 from the field), averaging 12.5 ppg.

89.5 percent free throw shooter (34-38)

Averaging 8.8 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).

LOGAN SMIDT NOTES

Appeared in five games.

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

AUDREY SWANSON NOTES

Started in all 13 games this season, averaging 30.9 minutes.

40.7 percent shooter from the floor (81-199) averaging 15.9 ppg.

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

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

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

MADDIE THORFINNSON NOTES

Started in every game this season, averaging 33.6 minutes.

Has scored nine points twice.

Grabbed five rebounds in two games.

Four assists in two games.

Nine points (3-3 on 3-point shots), four rebounds, three assists, and two blocks against Concordia-St. Paul (12/13).

CHRISTINA WAGNER NOTES 

Played in seven games this season.

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

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).

 

BEMIDJI STATE NOTES  

2025-26 Record: 6-6 overall, 3-5 NSIC

Head Coach: Chelsea Stoltenberg, 11th season (83-186)

Senior forward Kassandra Caron leads the Beavers in scoring, averaging 18.8 ppg on 50 percent shooting from the field, and averaging 4.5 boards per game. Caron has four games this season with 24 or more points.

Junior guard Tieryn Plasch, a Preseason 'Player to Watch' is third on the team in scoring, averaging 8.7 ppg, leading the Beavers in assists with 29.

Bemidji State is currently sixth in the NSIC North Division, with a 3-6 conference record, and are 11th in the overall NSIC standings.

The Beavers finished the 2024-25 season with a 6-20 record, holding a 4-18 record in NSIC play. BSU was picked to finish 14th in the annual NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll, and seventh in the NSIC North.

MINNESOTA DULUTH NOTES  

2025-26 Record: 10-2 overall, 8-0 NSIC

Head Coach: Mandy Pearson, 11th season (195-98)

Sophomore guard Claire Bjorge currently leads the Bulldogs in scoring, averaging 14.9 ppg, and steals with 21. Bjorge has three games of 20 or more points this season.

Senior forward Lexi Karge, a Preseason 'Player to Watch' is third on the team in scoring, averaging 11.2 ppg, leading the Bulldogs in rebounds averaging 5.3 boards per game. Karge has scored 17 points in back to back games against UMary and Bemidji State.

UMD is currently first in the NSIC North Division, with an 8-0 conference record, and are second in the overall NSIC standings.

The Bulldogs finished the 2024-25 season with a 10-18 record, holding a 8-14 record in NSIC play. UMD was picked to finish eighth in the annual NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll, and third 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 318-432 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 1,434 games compiling an all-time record of 705-729.

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