SMSU versus MSU Moorhead GAME ROSTERS (Print)
Tonight
- No. 25 SMSU welcomes MSU Moorhead tonight, with tip-off set for 5:30 p.m.
series history
- Today will be the 90th meeting between MSUM and SMSU, with the Dragons holding a 45-44 advantage in a series that began in 1973.
- The teams met twice a season ago, splitting the season series 1-1.
- SMSU is 26-14 all-time at home versus MSUM.
MUSTANG TIP-OFF TIDBITS
- In the current NSIC stats, SMSU ranks first in scoring margin (19.1), field goal pct. (48.7), and rebound margin (7.9), and 3-point field goal pct. (38.6), while ranking second in the league in scoring offense (84.7) and in rebounds (42.5). SMSU ranks third in assists per game (15.79), and fourth in blocked shots per game (3.86).
- Bri Stoltzman ranks fourth in the league in scoring (17.0) and second in field goal pct. (55.7), while Peyton Blandin ranks third in field goal pct. (50.0), fifth in 3-pt field goals per game (2.3) and sixth in scoring (16.6). Audrey Swanson ranks first in rebounding (9.0), fifth in field goal pct. (49.4), and ninth in scoring (14.4). Natalie Nielsen ranks third in the conference in blocks per game (2.1).
- SMSU shot a season-high 57 percent versus Bethany Lutheran and has shot 50 percent or higher six times this season.
- SMSU dished out a season-high 23 assists twice this year and has recorded 20 or more assists three times 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 17.0 ppg while leading the team in field goals made, assists, and steals.
- Peyton Blandin ranks second averaging 16.6 ppg, leads the Mustangs with 32 3-pointers and scored a career-high 27 points versus Wayne State on Nov. 26.
- Audrey Swanson ranks third on the team averaging 14.4 ppg and leads the team in rebounding with 9.0 rpg. She has also recorded six double-doubles.
- Natalie Nielsen averages 10.9 ppg and 6.4 rpg and leads the SMSU defense with 2.1 bpg. Nielsen scored a career-high 28 points with eight rebounds versus then-No. 12 Minnesota State on Dec. 13.
- True freshman Nicole Maenke is fifth on SMSU with 9.6 ppg and ranks second on the team with 30 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, 39 percent from 3-point range, 76 percent from the free throw line, and is plus-7.9 in rebound margin. The Mustangs average 85 points per game with a plus-19.1 scoring margin.
SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS
- In the latest Division II national statistics (Jan. 7), SMSU ranks first in field goal pct. (48.7), fourth in scoring offense (84.7), eighth in 3-point field goal pct. (38.6), and No. 10 in scoring margin (19.1).
- Audrey Swanson ranks No. 15 nationally with six double-doubles and No. 13 in defensive rebounds per game (7.5), while Natalie Nielsen ranks No. 13 in blocks (29) and No. 17 in blocks per game (2.07).
- Nicole Maenke leads the nation in 3-point field goal pct. (56.6), while Bri Stoltzman sits at No. 23 in field goal pct. (55.7).
- SMSU in the latest NCAA stats can be found on pages 19-20.
MSU Moorhead NOTES
- 2024-25 Record: 6-8 overall, 4-4 NSIC
- Head Coach: Karla Nelson, 25th season, 418-265
- MSUM is 6-8 on the season and last played on Jan. 4 suffering a 74-50 loss to Minnesota Duluth.
- Natalie Jens leads MSUM in scoring averaging 11.9 points, while also recording 4.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. Jens is shooting 28.8 percent from the field, and 34.9 percent from beyond the arc.
- Abby Berge ranks second on the team averaging 10.2 points per game. Berge also ranks second on the team with 5.6 rpg.
- Terryn Johnson leads the team in rebounds averaging 8.4 per game while averaging 10.1 ppg.
- MSUM is shooting 35 percent from the field, 28 percent from 3-point range, and 67 percent from the free throw line and is plus-4.3 in rebound margin. The Dragons average 59 points per game with a minus-3.5 scoring margin.