THE LOOK AHEAD

The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (14-11, 12-8 NSIC) are in action this week in the team's final regular season NSIC games of the season.

The Mustangs host the Augustana Vikings (9-17, 6-14 NSIC) for 'Senior Night' on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 5:30 p.m.

SMSU then travel south to Wayne, Neb., facing the Wayne State College Wildcats (10-16, 5-15 NSIC) on Satuday, Feb. 21, at 1 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 and AU will meet for the 58th time, with the Vikings holding a 34-23 lead in the series.

With the win on Dec. 4, the Mustangs have won five in a row against the Vikings, and have not lost at home in the series since 2021.

Coach Webb holds an 11-8 record against Augustana at SMSU.

Wayne State College and SMSU will meet for the 69th time with the Wildcats holding a 42-26 record all time against the Mustangs.

SMSU has won six of the last seven against WSC, however the series is split 3-3 in the last six games played in Wayne, Neb.

Tom Webb is 8-10 against WSC as the coach of the Mustangs.

MUSTANGS SPLIT HOME GAMES LAST WEEKEND

SMSU defeated Winona State on Thursday night 81-66.

Audrey Swanson led the Mustangs with 23 points on 8 of 15 shooting and 4 of 5 from deep. Swanson was one of four Mustangs with three assists in the game. Natalie Nielsen secured her ninth double double of the season with an 18-point, 12 rebound performance. Nicole Maenke shot 4 of 9 from behind the 3-point line adding 16 points, and Kylan Gerads reached double figures with 10.

As a team the Mustangs shot 49 percent from the field (31 of 63), 37 percent from deep (11 of 30), and 89 percent from the charity stripe (8 of 9). Both teams had 33 rebounds in the game, with SMSU committing eight turnovers and WSU committing 11.

The Mustangs however, in a pivotal game on Saturday in the hunt for a first-round bye in the NSIC Tournament, were beaten by Concordia-St. Paul 57-51.

Audrey Swanson led the Mustangs with 25 points on 9 of 16 shooting, as well as leading the team with 13 rebounds, for her fifth double double of the season. Natalie Nielsen was the other Mustang in double figures scoring, adding 10 points and nine rebounds.

The Mustangs shot 35 percent from the floor as a team (19 of 55) and 12 percent from deep (3 of 25). The Mustangs outrebounded CSP 45-36, however SMSU led 24-14 in the turnover margin. CSP was led by Lydia Haack with 11 points, and shot 29 percent from the floor (18 of 61).

SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB

Tom Webb is in his 10th season as head coach at SMSU with a 138-130 record, including 103-103 in NSIC play. 

Webb is 229-253 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 (83.6), 3-point percentage (36.4), and field goal percentage (45.8), second in 3-pointers made per game (8.6), as well as being fourth in scoring offense (74.0).

Nicole Maenke is first in free throw percentage (94.0), seventh in 3-pointers per game (2.1) and 3-point percentage (34.5), and is No. 17 in scoring average (14.4).

Audrey Swanson is third in 3-point percentage (40.2), fourth in rpg (7.8), fifth in scoring average (18.4) sixth in 3-pointers per game (2.1), and No. 12 in field goal percentage (46.5).

Natalie Nielsen is second in free throw percentage (92.8), second in rpg (8.5), and third in field-goal percentage (56.8).

 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 17.9 ppg. 

Nicole Maenke with eight 20+ point games is second on the team with 14.5 ppg, while Natalie Nielsen averages both 13.2 ppg and 8.7 rpg ,while shooting 54.5 percent from the field, and leading the team with 21 blocks.

Sophomore Kylan Gerads has five games of 20+ points and averages 12.6 ppg.

The Mustangs are shooting 44 percent from the field, 35 percent from 3-point shots, 81 percent from the free throw line and are +4.8 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 FEB. 16), SMSU ranks at third in free throw percentage (81.0), 15th in 3-point percentage (34.9), 16th in 3-pointers per game (8.2), 18th in field goal percentage (44.5) and 42nd in scoring offense (72.5).

Audrey Swanson is 31st in field goals made (160) 34th in field goals attempted (354) and 39th in ppg (17.9).

Natalie Nielsen is fifth in free throw percentage (90.6), 30th in double doubles (9) and 38th in offensive rebounds per game (3.4).

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

KENNADI BUCHHOLZ NOTES

Appeared in 11 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 25 games, starting in three.

Averaging 4.5 ppg and 1.9 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).

85 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 25 games.

Shooting 44 percent from the floor (118 of 266) and 36 percent from 3-point range (34 of 93).

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 14.6 minutes as a true freshman.

Shooting 44 percent from the floor (32 of 73) and 38 percent from deep (10 of 26).

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 ten games this season, tallying 56 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 25 games, averaging 32.0 minutes per game.

44.4 percent (119 of 268) shooting from the field, 33 percent from 3-point range (51 of 153).

Ranks third in NCAA DII in free throw percentage (92.4)

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 14 games tallying 44 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 23 games, missed two due to injury.

54 percent shooter (109 of 200) from the field, averaging 13.2 ppg.

90.6 percent free throw shooter (77 of 85), ranking fifth in DII.

Averaging 8.7 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 24 games this season, averaging 31.3 minutes, missing one game due to injury.

45 percent shooter from the floor (160 of 354) averaging 17.9 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).

11 games of 20+ points, five 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 108 games total across her four seasons at SMSU.

MADDIE THORFINNSON NOTES

Started in every game this season, averaging 33.8 minutes.

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

31 percent 3-point shooter (25 of 80).

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 119 games across four seasons at SMSU.

 

CHRISTINA WAGNER NOTES 

Played in 15 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 23 games this season, averaging 10.7 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.
 

AUGUSTANA NOTES  

2025-26 Record: 9-16 overall, 6-14 NSIC

Head Coach: Nate Vogel, 2nd season (15-39)

Sophomore forward Isabella Sanneh currently leads the Vikings with 14.5 ppg and 9.6 rpg. Sanneh currently leads the NSIC in rebounds per game with 9.1 in the Vikings 20 conference games.She has scored 20+ points in five games this season, but has not scored more than 14 in her last four games.

Senior guard Kristin Edmonds ranks second on the team averaging 8.1 ppg. Edmonds has eight games of double digit points, and recently scored 13 points adding five rebounds and three assists against Minnesota State.

Augustana are currently in 13th place in the NSIC standings with a 6-14 conference record. The Vikings will be fighting for a 12th place finish or higher this weekend, as teams placing 5-12 advance to the first round of the NSIC Tournament. Minnesota Crookston and Minot State both hold a 7-13 record ahead of Augustana.

The Vikings have dropped the last four games in a row, giving up 80+ points in all games, against the likes of CSP, WSU, SCSU, and No. 1 ranked MSU. The last victory for Augustana came on Jan. 31 in an upset over Minnesota Duluth 57-56, in which the Vikings trailed by 10 in the third quarter.

WAYNE STATE NOTES  

2025-26 Record: 10-16, 5-15 NSIC

Head Coach: Brian Ortmeier, 1st season (10-16)

Senior forward Kylah vanDonkersgoed leads the Wildcats with 13.3 ppg and 5.9 rpg. vanDonkersgoed is a 43 percent shooter from the floor and has two games of 30+ points. She is currently in the top 20 in the NSIC in both scoring and rebounding, and scored a career-high 33 points against MSU Moorhead on Jan. 17.

Senior forward Rachel Dahlen is second on the team in scoring averaging 10.7 ppg. Dahlen has only scored one game of 20+ this season, scoring 28 points against Augustana back in November.

Wayne State currently sits in 14th in the NSIC standings with a 5-15 conference record.

The Wildcats have won only one game in the team's last nine games, with the one win being on Jan. 31 against Bemidji State. 

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 211-173 (.544) in 384 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 325-437 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 1,446 games compiling an all-time record of 712-734.

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