SMSU versus Minnesota Duluth GAME ROSTERS (Print)
today
- SMSU welcomes Minnesota Duluth today for a NSIC match-up, with tip-off set for 5:30 p.m.
series history
- Today will be the 82nd meeting between UMD and SMSU, with the Bulldogs holding a 62-19 advantage in a series that began in 1976.
- The teams met twice a season ago, splitting the season series 1-1.
- SMSU broke a seven-game losing streak to the Bulldogs last season with an 86-80 win.
- SMSU is 9-27 all-time at home versus UMD.
MUSTANG TIP-OFF TIDBITS
- In the current NSIC stats, SMSU leads the league in scoring offense (88.1), scoring margin (24.4), and field goal pct. (50.7), while ranking second in rebounding (43.3), third in rebounding margin (8.3), 3-point field goal pct. (37.4), and assists per game (16.00), and sixth in blocked shots per game (4.29).
- Stoltzman ranks fourth in the league in scoring (18.0) and first in field goal pct. (58.6), while Blandin ranks second in free throw pct. (91.3) fifth in field goal pct. (50.6), and eighth in scoring (16.3). Swanson ranks seventh in rebounding (7.9) and second in field goal pct. (55.6). Nielsen ranks third in the conference in blocks per game (2.3).
- SMSU shot a season-high 57 percent versus Bethany Lutheran and has shot 50 percent or higher four times this season.
- SMSU dished out a season-high 24 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 three players averaging double figures in scoring, and five averaging over eight points per game. Bri Stoltzman leads the way at 18.0 ppg while leading the team in field goals made, assists, and steals.
- Peyton Blandin ranks second averaging 16.3 ppg and scored a career-high 27 points versus Wayne State on Nov. 26.
- Audrey Swanson ranks third on the team averaging 15.7 ppg and leads the team in rebounding with 7.9 rpg. She has also recorded seven steals and a pair of double-doubles.
- True freshman Nicole Maenke is fourth on SMSU with 9.1 ppg and leads the Mustangs with 12 3-pointers.
- Natalie Nielsen averages 8.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg and leads the SMSU defense with 2.3 bpg.
- SMSU is shooting 51 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3-point range, 74 percent from the free throw line, and is plus-8.3 in rebound margin. The Mustangs average 88 points per game.
SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS
- In the latest Division II national statistics (Dec. 1), SMSU ranks second in field goal pct. (50.7), No. 4 in scoring offense (88.1), No. 13 in scoring margin (24.4), and No. 23 in 3-point field goal pct. (37.4).
- Bri Stoltzman ranks 44th in scoring (18.0) and 26th in field goal pct. (58.6), while Natalie Nielsen ranks 16th in blocks per game (2.29) and 10th in total blocks (16).
minnesota duluth NOTES
- 2024-25 Record: 2-4 overall, 0-1 NSIC
- Head Coach: Mandy Pearson, 10th season, 177-82
- Minnesota Duluth is 2-4 on the year and last played on Nov. 26 suffering an 82-64 loss to Minnesota State in its NSIC opener.
- Myra Moorjani leads the Bulldogs offense averaging 16.7 ppg and a team-high 29 free throws. Moorjani also leads UMD with 4.2 apg.
- Claire Bjorge ranks second in scoring at 12.8 ppg and leads the team with 15 3-pointers and eight steals.
- Lexi Karlen ranks third with 10.8 ppg and ranks second defensively with 5.2 rpg.
- UMD is shooting 43 percent from the field, 36 percent from 3-point range, and 74 percent from the free throw line and is minus-4.3 in rebound margin. The Bulldogs average 73 points per game with a minus-3.7 scoring margin.