THE LOOK AHEAD

The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (13-8, 11-5 NSIC) continues its four-game road stretch with two rematches of games back in December.

The Mustangs face the St. Cloud State Huskies (9-12, 6-10 NSIC) on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 5:30 p.m.

SMSU then travel to Mankato to face the No. 2 ranked Minnesota State Mavericks (22-0, 16-0 NSIC) on Satuday, Feb. 7, 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 SCSU will meet for the 64th time, with the Huskies holding a 43-20 lead in the series.

Including the matchup on Dec. 20, the Mustangs have won four of the last five against SCSU.

Coach Webb holds a 4-7 record against St. Cloud State at SMSU.

Minnesota State and SMSU will meet for the 77th time with the Mavericks holding a 53-23 record all time against the Mustangs.

MSU is unbeaten in the last eight meetings against SMSU, and have won the last five meetings played in the Taylor Center.

Tom Webb is 6-14 against MSU as the coach of the Mustangs.

MUSTANGS SPLIT GAMES ON THE ROAD

SMSU defeated the Jamestown Jimmies 88-74 last Friday night.

Nicole Maenke led the team in scoring with 20 points shooting 50 percent (4 of 8) from deep. Natalie Nielsen and Kylan Gerads both added 19 points, shooting a combined 65 percent from the field. Audrey Swanson led the team in rebounds with eight while scoring 18 points, and Maddie Thorfinnson dished out seven assists. SMSU shot nearly 57 percent from the floor (30 of 53), 52 percent from the 3-point line (12 of 23) and 95 percent from the charity stripe (16-17).

The Mustangs were, however, defeated Saturday night by Northern State 74-66. Northern State closed the game on a 12-3 run in the final two minutes and 14 seconds.

SMSU, which had its five-game winning streak snapped, dropped to 13-8 overall, 11-5 NSIC. Swanson led the Mustangs with 19 points and seven rebounds. Kylan Gerads and Natalie Nielsen each pulled down eight rebounds for the Mustangs with Nielsen scoring 15 points while Gerads chipped in with 11 points. Nicole Maenke also reached double figures in scoring for SMSU with 10 points.

SMSU made just 5 of 21 from 3-point range and finished the night shooting 41 percent (24 of 59) from the field. 

Izzy Moore led the Wolves with 26 points on seven field goals while making 11 of 13 from the free throw line. The Wolves shot 43 percent (25 of 58) from the field and made six 3-pointers.

SMSU HEAD COACH TOM WEBB

Tom Webb is in his 10th season as head coach at SMSU with a 137-127 record, including 102-100 in NSIC play. 

Webb is 228-250 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 (83.5)and 3-point percentage (38.8), second in 3-pointers made per game (8.8) and field goal percentage (46.3), and fourth in both scoring offense (75.6) and scoring margin (+4.5).

Nicole Maenke is first in free throw percentage (93.8), sixth in 3-pointers per game (2.1), seventh in 3-point percentage (36.2),  and No. 15 in scoring average (15.6).

Audrey Swanson is third in 3-point percentage (39.7), fourth in rpg (7.9), seventh in 3-pointers per game (2.1), and ninth in scoring average (17.4)

Natalie Nielsen is second in free throw percentage (91.4), third in rpg (8.0), and fourth in field-goal percentage (56.3).

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

Nicole Maenke with eight 20+ point games is second on the team with 15.4 ppg, while sophomore Kylan Gerads has five games of 20+ points and averages 13.3 ppg.

Natalie Nielsen averages both 13.6 ppg and 8.4 rpg ,while shooting 53.8 percent from the field, and leading the team with 25 blocks.

The Mustangs are shooting 45 percent from the field, 36 percent from 3-point shots, 80 percent from the free throw line and are +4.5 in the rebound margin. SMSU is averaging 73 ppg while opponents are averaging 70 ppg.

SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS 

In the Division II national statistics (AS OF FEB. 3), SMSU ranks at third in free throw percentage (80.6), 11th in 3-pointers per game (8.5) and 3-point percentage (36.5), 16th in field goal percentage (44.7) and 36th in scoring offense (73.4).

Audrey Swanson is 36th in field goals attempted (296), 40th in field goals made (128) and 41st in defensive rebounds per game (6.5).

Natalie Nielsen is 16th in free throw percentage (89.2), 36th in double doubles (7) and 46th in offensive rebounds per game (3.3)

Nicole Maenke is third in free throw percentage (92.2).

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 21 games, starting in three.

Averaging 4.8 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).

75 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 21 games.

Shooting 46 percent from the floor (103 of 225) and 40 percent from 3-point range (32 of 79).

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, two 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 13.5 minutes as a true freshman.

Shooting 44 percent from the floor (24 of 54) and 44 percent from deep (8 of 18).

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 21 games, averaging 32.1 minutes per game.

45.4 percent (104 of 229) shooting from the field, 34 percent from 3-point range (44 of 128).

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 19 games, missed two due to injury.

54 percent shooter (93 of 173) from the field, averaging 13.6 ppg.

89.2 percent free throw shooter (66 of 74)

Averaging 8.4 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 20 games this season, averaging 31.6 minutes, missing one game due to injury.

43.2 percent shooter from the floor (128 of 296) averaging 17 ppg.

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

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

Eight 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 98 games total across her four seasons at SMSU.

MADDIE THORFINNSON NOTES

Started in every game this season, averaging 34.1 minutes.

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

34 percent 3-point shooter (20 of 59).

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 109 games across four seasons at SMSU.
 

CHRISTINA WAGNER NOTES 

Played in 11 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 19 games this season, averaging 10.6 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.
 

ST. CLOUD STATE NOTES  

2025-26 Record: 9-12 overall, 6-10 NSIC

Head Coach: Lori Fish, 18th season (286-199)

Senior guard Jada Eggebrecht led SCSU in points against the Mustangs on Dec. 20 with 12. Eggebrecht averages 13.6 ppg, while also tied for first with 14 blocks. She scored a season-high 29 points against Jamestown on Jan. 23.

Sophomore guard Rachel Kottke was named NSIC South Player of the Week on Jan. 26, averaging 19 ppg shooting 72 percent from the floor against Jamestown and Northern State. While Kottke cooled off in the next two games, she still averages 8 ppg and 5.5 rpg, leading the team in assists (73) and steals (34).

SCSU is rising up the NSIC standings, and is currently 10th with a 6-10 conference record. 

Since the Huskies loss to the Mustangs on Dec. 20, St. Cloud State holds a 5-4 record, including a 70-39 demolition of Northern State on Jan. 24.

NO. 2 MINNESOTA STATE NOTES  

2025-26 Record: 22-0, 16-0 NSIC

Head Coach: Emilee Thiesse, 14th season (275-124)

Senior guard Natalie Bremer, twice named WBCA and D2CIDA National Player of the Week, leads the Mavericks averaging 21.5 ppg while shooting over 50 percent from the field. Since the meeting on Dec. 19, Bremer has three games of 25 or more points, including a 32-point performance against Sioux Falls on Dec. 20.

Senior forward Ava Stier has started every game for the Mavericks this season, averaging 8.8 ppg, leading the team in rebounds with 5.5 rpg. Stier has three games of 14+ points including a season-high 18 points against Augustana on Dec. 20

Minnesota State has been ranked at No. 2 in the WBCA Coaches Poll for eight straight weeks, and have broken the program record for a single-season win steak.

Since the Dec. 19 game between the two teams, MSU has scored 90 or more in seven of 10 games, including scoring 107 points against Jamestown on Jan. 24.
 

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 324-434 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 1,442 games compiling an all-time record of 711-731.

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