THE LOOK AHEAD

The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (16-11, 14-8 NSIC), the number five seed in the NSIC Tournament, host a first round playoff game against Minnesota Crookston (8-20, 7-15 NSIC) on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 6 p.m. inside the R/A Facility.

GAME COVERAGE 

Wednesday's game 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 UMC will meet for the 42nd time on Wednesday, with the Mustangs holding a 28-13 advantage.

With SMSU's win on Jan. 24, the Mustangs have won the last seven meetings, and have won the last five in the R/A Facility.

Coach Webb holds an 8-2 record against Minnesota Crookston at SMSU.

MUSTANGS TAKE FINAL TWO REGULAR SEASON GAMES

SMSU defeated Augustana on Thursday night on 'Senior Night' 74-71.

Audrey Swanson led the way for SMSU with 24 points and 11 rebounds for her sixth double double of the season. Kylan Gerads added 20 points on 7 of 13 shooting. Senior Kennadi Buchholz in her first start of the season for the injured Natalie Nielsen scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds. Senior Maddie Thorfinnson scored six points on 2 of 5 shooting from 3-point range. SMSU shot 38 percent from the floor and 36 percent from deep in the contest.

The Mustangs ended the regular season on Saturday defeating the Wayne State Wildcats 58-46.

Audrey Swanson led the team with 12 points and 10 rebounds for her third straight double double. Nicole Maenke and Brynn Busse each scored 11 points, and Kylan Gerads added 10 points and eight rebounds. The Mustangs shot 34 percent from the floor as a team and outrebounded WSC 44-30 (16-5 on the offensive glass).

SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB

Tom Webb is in his 10th season as head coach at SMSU with a 140-130 record, including 105-103 in NSIC play. 

Webb is 231-253 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 final NSIC stats (league games only), SMSU finished first in team free throw percentage (82.8) and 3-point percentage (36.3), second in field goal percentage (44.9) and in 3-pointers made per game (8.5), as well as being fourth in scoring offense (73.3).

Nicole Maenke finished first in free throw percentage (94.0), sixth in 3-pointers per game (2.1), seventh in 3-point percentage (34.6), and is No. 20 in scoring average (14.4).

Audrey Swanson finished second in 3-point percentage (40.7), fourth in rpg (8.1), fifth in scoring average (18.4) and in 3-pointers per game (2.1), and No. 13 in field goal percentage (44.5).

Natalie Nielsen finished second in free throw percentage (92.8) and 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 finished the regular season with 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 14.0 ppg, while Natalie Nielsen averaged both 13.2 ppg and 8.7 rpg ,while shooting 54.5 percent from the field, and leading the team with 21 blocks. Nielsen however will miss the rest of the season due to injury.

Sophomore Kylan Gerads has six games of 20+ points and averages 12.8 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 69 ppg.

SMSU IN THE NSIC TOURNAMENT

Since the NSIC Tournament started in 2000, SMSU is 13-19 all-time with one championship title in 2002.

SMSU advanced to the semifinals for the sixth time last season, and played in the first three championship games (2000, 2001, 2002).

The Mustangs are 7-1 at home, 0-11 on the road and 6-7 in neutral site tournament games.

SMSU defeated MSU Moorhead 87-79 in the NSIC Tournament quarterfinals last season, before falling to the Minnesota State Mavericks in the semifinals 87-74.

SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS 

In the Division II national statistics (AS OF FEB. 23), SMSU ranks at fourth in free throw percentage (80.6), 14th in 3-pointers per game (8.3), 17th in 3-point percentage (34.9), 27th in field goal percentage (43.9) and 43nd in scoring offense (72.0).

Audrey Swanson is 28th in field goals attempted (394), 34th in field goals made (172), and 44th in ppg (17.9).

Natalie Nielsen is sixth in free throw percentage (90.6), 44th in double doubles (9) and 36th in offensive rebounds per game (3.4).

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

KENNADI BUCHHOLZ NOTES

Appeared in 13 games this season, starting in two.

Record eight points against Augustana (2/19).

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 27 games, starting in three.

Averaging 4.7 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).

88 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 27 games.

Shooting 44 percent from the floor (128 of 287) and 36 percent from 3-point range (36 of 99).

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

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

Six 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 42 percent from the floor (32 of 77) and 36 percent from deep (10 of 28).

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 27 games, averaging 32.0 minutes per game.

43 percent (125 of 289) shooting from the field, 33 percent from 3-point range (56 of 167).

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 four 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 26 games this season, averaging 31.6 minutes, missing one game due to injury.

44 percent shooter from the floor (172 of 394) 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 111 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).

32 percent 3-point shooter (28 of 87).

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 122 games across four seasons at SMSU.
 

CHRISTINA WAGNER NOTES 

Played in 17 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 25 games this season, averaging 11.2 minutes per game.

Season-high eight points against Sioux Falls (1/3).

Eight rebounds against Minnesota Duluth (1/10).

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 327-437 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 1,448 games compiling an all-time record of 714-734.

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

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 213-174 (.547) in 387 games with 16 winning seasons. 
 

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON NOTES  

2025-26 Record: 8-20 overall, 7-15 NSIC

Head Coach: Natalie Moynihan, 3rd season (26-56)

Senior guard Emma Miller leads the Golden Eagles averaging 19.5 ppg and 86 assists on the season. Miller became the NSIC's all-time leading scorer in women's basketball on Feb. 12, currently sitting at 1,692 points in NSIC games, and over 2,000 for her career. Miller has scored 25+ in seven games this season.

Junior forward Rayna Klejeski averages 12.4 ppg for the Golden Eagles as well as 6.1 rpg, leading UMC. Klejeski, a 51 percent shooter from the floor, scored a career-high 21 points against Northern State on Feb. 5 and has scored in the double-digits for 10 consecutive games.

Minnesota Crookston finished the NSIC season with a 7-15 record, one game ahead of Augustana and Bemidji State, and earning a 12 seed in the NSIC Tournament. This is UMC's third tournament appearance in the last four seasons.

The Golden Eagles are 3-3 in their last six games, with wins over fellow tournament teams Minot State and Northern State. UMC has dropped their last three in a row, against UMary, Minnesota Duluth, and Bemidji State.