THE LOOK AHEAD

The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (13-10, 11-7 NSIC) returns to Marshall this weekend, beginning a three-game home stretch.

The Mustangs face the Winona State Warriors (15-9, 12-6 NSIC) on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 5:30 p.m.

SMSU then match up with the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears (17-6, 13-5 NSIC) on Satuday, Feb. 14, at 2 p.m.

A preview for WSU and CSP 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 and WSU will meet for the 95th time, with the Mustangs holding a 50-44 lead in the series.

Despite the loss on Dec. 14, the Mustangs have won five of the last seven against WSU, and have not lost at home in the series since 2020.

Coach Webb holds a 5-11 record against Winona State at SMSU.

Concordia-St. Paul and SMSU will meet for the 70th time with the Golden Bears holding a 46-23 record all time against the Mustangs.

SMSU has won five of the last six meetings against CSP, however in the last four games in the R/A Facility, the matchup is split 2-2.

Tom Webb is 7-12 against CSP as the coach of the Mustangs.

An all-time results list of Winona State and Concordia-St. Paul can be found on pages 18 and 19.

MUSTANGS FINISH ROAD TRIP LAST WEEKEND

SMSU were defeated by the St. Cloud State Huskies last Thursday 82-67.

Audrey Swanson led the Mustangs with a career-high 31 points on 11 of 18 shooting, becoming the 26th member of the 1,000-career points club in the fourth quarter. Nicole Maenke and Natalie Nielsen were the other Mustangs to reach double figures in scoring, with Maenke adding 11 points, and Nielsen putting up 10 points and leading the team in rebounds with 11 for her eighth double double.

The Mustangs shot just above 40 percent from the field (23 of 57) and 25 percent from deep (6 of 24). The Huskies outrebounded the Mustangs 34-33. SCSU shot 46 percent from the floor (28 of 61) and 60 percent from 3-point range (9 of 15).

The Mustangs then traveled to Mankato, Minn., facing No. 2 ranked Minnesota State, and giving the Mavericks possibly their toughest battle yet, dropping the contest 79-71.

Kylan Gerads led the Mustangs with 19 points and 11 rebounds in the contest, shooting 7 of 13 from the floor. Audrey Swanson added 10 points, four assists, and two steals. Maddie Thorfinnson had nine points while shooting 2 of 3 from deep. 

SMSU shot 51 percent from the floor (27 of 53) and 36 percent from 3-point range (8 of 22). SMSU outrebounded the Mavericks 50-33, the most rebounds in a game since last year against Minot State. MSU forced the Mustangs to commit 41 turnovers in the game, with the Mavericks credited with 20 steals.

Natalie Bremer led the Mavericks with 20 points, with MSU shooting 30 percent from the floor (22 of 73) and 19 percent from beyond the arc (3 of 16). MSU attempted 41 free throws to SMSU's 10.

SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB

Tom Webb is in his 10th season as head coach at SMSU with a 137-129 record, including 102-102 in NSIC play. 

Webb is 228-252 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 team free throw percentage (83.4), 3-point percentage (37.8), and field goal percentage (46.2), second in 3-pointers made per game (8.6), as well as being fourth in scoring offense (75.6).

Nicole Maenke is first in free throw percentage (94.0), sixth in 3-pointers per game (2.1) and 3-point percentage (35.2), and is No. 16 in scoring average (14.8).

Audrey Swanson is fourth in rpg (7.8), eighth in scoring average (17.8) ninth in 3-pointers per game (1.9), and No. 12 in field goal percentage (45.5).

Natalie Nielsen is second in free throw percentage (91.9), second in rpg (8.2), and fourth in field-goal percentage (57.0).

 SMSU has shot 50 percent or better from the field six 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 17.3 ppg. 

Nicole Maenke with eight 20+ point games is second on the team with 14.8 ppg, while sophomore Kylan Gerads has five games of 20+ points and averages 13.2 ppg.

Natalie Nielsen averages both 13.1 ppg and 8.6 rpg ,while shooting 54.4 percent from the field, and leading the team with 19 blocks.

The Mustangs are shooting 45 percent from the field, 36 percent from 3-point shots, 81 percent from the free throw line and are +4.7 in the rebound margin. SMSU is averaging 73 ppg while opponents are averaging 71 ppg.

SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS 

In the Division II national statistics (AS OF FEB. 10), SMSU ranks at third in free throw percentage (80.8), 12th in 3-point percentage (35.9), 13th in 3-pointers per game (8.3), 16th in field goal percentage (44.7) and 39th in scoring offense (73.0).

Audrey Swanson is 37th in field goals attempted (323), 40th in field goals made (143) and 55th in ppg (17.3).

Natalie Nielsen is sixth in free throw percentage (89.7), 31st in double doubles (8) and 44th in offensive rebounds per game (3.3).

Nicole Maenke is first in free throw percentage (92.4).

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

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 23 games, starting in three.

Averaging 4.7 ppg and 2.0 rpg.

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

Career-high seven assists against St. Cloud State (12/20)

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

83 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 23 games.

Shooting 45 percent from the floor (112 of 246) and 38 percent from 3-point range (34 of 88).

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, three 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 14.4 minutes as a true freshman.

Shooting 43 percent from the floor (29 of 67) and 39 percent from deep (9 of 23).

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 nine 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 23 games, averaging 32.0 minutes per game.

44.4 percent (110 of 248) shooting from the field, 34 percent from 3-point range (47 of 139).

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 21 games, missed two due to injury.

54 percent shooter (99 of 182) from the field, averaging 13.1 ppg.

89.7 percent free throw shooter (70 of 78)

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 22 games this season, averaging 31.5 minutes, missing one game due to injury.

44 percent shooter from the floor (143 of 323) averaging 17.3 ppg.

Career-high 31 points, becoming the 26th player in team history to score 1,000 career points, against St. Cloud State (2/5).

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

Nine 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 106 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).

34 percent 3-point shooter (24 of 71).

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 117 games across four seasons at SMSU.
 

CHRISTINA WAGNER NOTES 

Played in 13 games this season.

Three points against Minot State (1/16) and Northern State (1/31).

Four rebounds vs. Minnesota State (12/19) and NSU (1/31).

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

ELIZABETH WAGNER NOTES 

Appeared in 21 games this season, averaging 10.9 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.

WINONA STATE NOTES  

2025-26 Record: 15-9 overall, 12-6 NSIC

Head Coach: Ana Wurtz, 4th season (47-61)

Senior Hailey Markworth led WSU in points against the Mustangs on Dec. 14 with 27, one of three games with 27 points. Markworth, a Preseason 'Player to Watch', is a 50 percent shooter from the field averaging 16.6 ppg and 6.4 rpg, second on the team. She has scored 20+ points in 10 games this season and was named NSIC South Division Player of the Week on Feb. 9.

Junior Vivica Bretton scored 18 points for the Warriors in the Dec. 14 meetings between WSU and SMSU. Bretton is currently second on the team in scoring, averaging 12.3 ppg, as well as leading the team in assists with 81 on the season. Bretton tied her career-high 22 points against MSU Moorhead on Jan. 10

Winona State, ranked in the Preseason Coaches' Poll at No. 12 in the NSIC, currently sit fifth in the overall NSIC standings with a 12-6 conference record. 

Since the Warriors win over SMSU on Dec. 14, WSU has gone 8-5 in 13 games including wins over Augustana and Wayne State twice, and an overtime wih against MSU Moorhead. The Warriors, however, have also suffered losses against Bemidji State, UMary, and a double OT loss to CSP in the same span.

CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL NOTES  

2025-26 Record: 17-6, 13-5 NSIC

Head Coach: Amanda Johnson, 11th season (187-104)

Senior guard Lydia Haack leads the Golden Bears in scoring, averaging 18.3 ppg this season, the fifth highest mark in the NSIC. Haack is a 46 percent shooter from the floor (147 of 316) and a 43 percent shooter from deep (45 of 105). She has been named NSIC South Division Player of the Week three times, and scored a program-record 44 points against Winona State on Jan. 3.

Junior forward Lauren Wilson, twice named NSIC South Player of the Week, is second for CSP in points averaging 17.8 ppg. Wilson also averages 8.6 rpg, leading the team. Wilson has scored 30+ points in three games this season, and scored 24 points against the Mustangs on Dec. 13. 

Concordia-St. Paul currently sits fourth in the overall NSIC standings with a 13-5 conference record. 

Since the Dec. 13 meeting between SMSU and CSP, the Golden Bears have a 12-2 record and have won nine straight games, including wins over Minnesota Duluth, Northern State, and a double OT win over Winona State. The two losses came against Sioux Falls and a OT loss to MSU Moorhead.

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 324-436 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 1,444 games compiling an all-time record of 711-733.

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