THE LOOK AHEAD

The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (17-11), the number five seed in the NSIC Tournament, head to the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Sunday for an NSIC Tournament quarterfinal matchup against the UMary Marauders (22-9).

GAME COVERAGE 

Sunday'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 UMary will meet for the 25th time on Sunday, with the Marauders holding a 14-10 advantage.

The Mustangs won the Jan. 17 matchup against the two, marking three consecutive wins for SMSU in the series.

Coach Webb holds a 7-4 record against UMary at SMSU.

MUSTANGS DEFEAT UMC IN NSIC FIRST-ROUND MATCHUP

SMSU defeated Minnesota Crookston 77-65, propelled by a 27-point fourth quarter from the Mustangs.

Audrey Swanson led the way for SMSU with 17 points on 7 of 18 shooting and 14 rebounds for her seventh double double of her campaign. Nicole Maenke also scored 17 points shooting 4 of 8 from 3-point range. Kylan Gerads put up 16 points on 7 of 14 shooting, and Elizabeth Wagner scored a season-high 10 points on a perfect 4 of 4 from the field. Freshman Allie Haabala dished out six assists in the game, a career high.

SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB

Tom Webb is in his 10th season as head coach at SMSU with a 141-130 record, including 105-103 in NSIC play. 

Webb is 232-253 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 21 assists against Minnesota Crookston (2/25).

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, and grabbing 8.1 rpg.

Nicole Maenke with eight 20+ point games is second on the team with 14.1 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 12.9 ppg.

The Mustangs are shooting 44 percent from the field, 35 percent from 3-point shots, 80 percent from the free throw line and are +4.9 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 14-19 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 8-1 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.

MUSTANGS EARNING NSIC HONORS

Senior forward Audrey Swanson and junior center Natalie Nielsen earned All-NSIC honors on Thursday.

Swanson was named to the All-NSIC first team for the second straight season. She led the team in scoring, averaging 17.9 ppg, and ranked second in rebounding (7.9) and assists (70). In NSIC play (league games only), Swanson ranked second in the league in 3-point percentage (40.7) fourth in rebounding (8.5), fifth in scoring (18.4), and 13th in field goal pct. (44.5).

Nielsen was named to the All-NSIC second team. Nielsen finished the season averaging a team-high 8.7 rpg and blocking a team-leading 21 shots, while ranking third on the team in scoring at 13.2 ppg. In conference play, Nielsen finished second in rebounding (8.5), second in free throw percentage (92.8), and third in field goal percentage (56.8).
 

SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS 

In the Division II national statistics (AS OF FEB. 26), SMSU ranks at fourth in free throw percentage (80.4), 14th in 3-pointers per game (8.3), 18th in 3-point percentage (34.8), 26th in field goal percentage (44.1) and 46th in scoring offense (72.2).

Audrey Swanson is 22nd in field goals attempted (412), 22nd in 3-point percentage (38.6), 35th in field goals made (179), 38th in total points (482), and 43rd in ppg (17.9).

Natalie Nielsen is fifth in free throw percentage (90.6), 38th in double doubles (9) and 36th in offensive rebounds per game (3.4).

Nicole Maenke is second in free throw percentage (91.6).

KENNADI BUCHHOLZ NOTES

Appeared in 14 games this season, starting in three.

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 28 games, starting in three.

Averaging 4.8 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).

89 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 28 games.

Shooting 45 percent from the floor (135 of 301) and 35 percent from 3-point range (36 of 102).

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 14.6 minutes as a true freshman.

Shooting 42 percent from the floor (34 of 82) and 34 percent from deep (11 of 32).

Nine points in back-to-back games (Sioux Falls, 11/25, Northern State, 11/30).

Six assists against Minnesota Crookston (2/25).

BRYLEE IVERSON NOTES

Appeared in eleven games this season, tallying 57 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 28 games, averaging 32.1 minutes per game.

43 percent (130 of 300) shooting from the field, 34 percent from 3-point range (60 of 175).

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

ALLISON MILBRANDT NOTES

Appeared in 15 games tallying 45 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 five due to injury.

All-NSIC second team honoree.

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 27 games this season, averaging 31.7 minutes, missing one game due to injury.

Named to the All-NSIC first team.

43 percent shooter from the floor (179 of 412) 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 112 games total across her four seasons at SMSU.

MADDIE THORFINNSON NOTES

Started in every game this season, averaging 33.6 minutes.

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

32 percent 3-point shooter (28 of 88).

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 123 games across four seasons at SMSU.
 

CHRISTINA WAGNER NOTES 

Played in 18 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 26 games this season, averaging 11.5 minutes per game.

Season-high 10 points against Minnesota Crookston (2/25).

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 1,449 games compiling an all-time record of 715-734.

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

UMARY NOTES  

2025-26 Record: 22-9 overall, 15-7 NSIC

Head Coach: Rick Neumann, 3rd season (221-178)

Junior guard Bergan Kinnebrew was voted to the All-NSIC first team, and was selected as the NSIC North Division Player of the Year. A native of Bismarck, N.D., she averages 22.2 ppg on 45 percent shooting from the floor, while making 229 free throws with a percentage of 89 percent from the charity stripe. In the lastest NCAA rankings, Kinnebrew is third in DII in ppg.

Sophomore center Allison Undlin was named to the All-NSIC first team this season, averaging 15.8 ppg, and leading the Marauders grabbing 8.3 rpg. Undlin has eight double doubles on the season, and ranks second in the NSIC (league games only) in field goal percentage (62.2) and rebounds (8.4)

With an NSIC record of 15-7, the Marauders recieved an automatic bye in the NSIC Tournament as the No. 4 seed. This is the second automatic bye in the past three seasons for UMary.

The Marauders are 4-2 in their last six games, with wins over Northern State, Minnesota Crookston, and Minnesota Duluth. Since the loss against SMSU on Jan. 17, UMary hold a 7-3 record in conference play.