SMSU versus Sioux Falls GAME ROSTERS (Print)
today
- SMSU welcomes Sioux Falls today for its final NSIC match-up of 2024, with tip-off set for 2 p.m.
series history
- Today will be the 43rd meeting between USF and SMSU, with the Mustangs leading 22-20 in a series that started in 1969.
- SMSU won the lone meeting a season ago, defeating the Cougars 86-61 in Marshall.
- The Mustangs have won four of the last five meetings.
- SMSU is 8-12 all-time at home versus USF.
MUSTANG TIP-OFF TIDBITS
- In the current NSIC stats, SMSU ranks first in scoring margin (17.6), field goal pct. (48.5), and rebound margin (6.5), and 3-point field goal pct. (36.6), while ranking second in the league in scoring offense (84.8), third in rebounding (42.4), and fourth in blocked shots per game (4.09) and assists per game (15.55).
- Bri Stoltzman ranks fourth in the league in scoring (16.6) and first in field goal pct. (55.2), while Peyton Blandin ranks third in free throw pct. (85.7) sixth in field goal pct. (49.2), and seventh in scoring (15.9). Audrey Swanson ranks second in rebounding (8.5) third in field goal pct. (51.2), and 13th in scoring (14.8). Natalie Nielsen ranks third in the conference in blocks per game (2.2).
- SMSU shot a season-high 57 percent versus Bethany Lutheran and has shot 50 percent or higher five times this season.
- SMSU dished out a season-high 23 assists in the victory over Bethany Lutheran and has recorded 20 assists or more twice this season.
Mustangs by the numbers
- On the season, SMSU has four players averaging double figures in scoring, and five averaging over nine points per game. Bri Stoltzman leads the way at 16.6 ppg while leading the team in field goals made, assists, and steals.
- Peyton Blandin ranks second averaging 15.9 ppg and scored a career-high 27 points versus Wayne State on Nov. 26.
- Audrey Swanson ranks third on the team averaging 14.8 ppg and leads the team in rebounding with 8.5 rpg. She has also recorded 11 steals and five double-doubles.
- Natalie Nielsen averages 10.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg and leads the SMSU defense with 2.2 bpg. Nielsen scored a career-high 28 points with eight rebounds versus No. 12 Minnesota State on Dec. 13.
- True freshman Nicole Maenke is fourth on SMSU with 9.9 ppg and leads the Mustangs with 23 3-pointers. Maenke set the single-game program record for 3-point field goal pct. making all six 3-point attempts against Winona State on Dec. 14.
- SMSU is shooting 49 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3-point range, 76 percent from the free throw line, and is plus-6.5 in rebound margin. The Mustangs average 85 points per game.
SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS
- • In the latest Division II national statistics (Dec. 16), SMSU ranks third in field goal pct. (48.5), No. 7 in scoring offense (84.8), No. 19 in 3-point field goal pct. (36.6), No. 22 in scoring margin (17.6).
- Audrey Swanson ranks 19th nationally with five double-doubles, and Natalie Nielsen ranks No. 10 in blocks (24) and No. 15 in blocks per game (2.18).
- Nicole Maenke leads the nation in 3-point field goal pct. (57.5).
Sioux Falls NOTES
- 2024-25 Record: 6-7 overall, 2-4 NSIC
- Head Coach: Travis Traphagen, 17th season, 290-181
- Sioux Falls is 6-7 on the year and last played on Dec. 19 suffering a 72-70 home loss to Wayne State.
- Kami Wadsworth is leading the team in minutes with an average of 28.1 per game. She is also leading the team in points with an average of 15.2 per game.
- Ayla Brown is leading the team in steals with an average of 1.8 per game. She is also leading the team in assists with an average of 3.2 per game.
- Aby Phipps is leading the team in blocks with an average of 0.5 per game. She is also leading the team in rebounds with an average of 5.6 per game.
- USF is shooting 41 percent from the field, 35 percent from 3-point range, and 77 percent from the free throw line and is plus-5.4 in rebound margin. The Cougars average 73 points per game with a plus-8.5 scoring margin.