SMSU versus Northern State GAME ROSTERS (Print)
tonight
- No. 23 SMSU (14-2, 8-2 NSIC) opens the weekend hosting Northern State (10-6, 7-3 NSIC) tonight with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m.
series history
- Tonight will be the 73rd meeting between NSU and SMSU, with the Wolves holding a 53-19 advantage in a series that began in 1969.
- SMSU took both games in the season series last year, winning 73-53 at home before earning an 86-75 victory in Sioux Falls, S.D.
- SMSU is 13-22 all-time at home versus NSU.
MUSTANG TIP-OFF TIDBITS
- In the current NSIC stats, SMSU ranks first in scoring margin (19.8), field goal pct. (48.4), and rebound margin (8.7), and 3-point field goal pct. (37.3), while ranking second in the league in scoring offense (85.2) and in rebounds (43.3). SMSU ranks third in assists per game (16.06).
- Bri Stoltzman ranks first in the league in field goal pct. (55.4), third in scoring (17.1) and in assists per game (4.2), while Peyton Blandin ranks fifth in field goal pct. (48.2), fourth in 3-pt field goals per game (2.4) and sixth in scoring (16.4). Audrey Swanson ranks first in rebounding (8.9), third in field goal pct. (50.3), and 11th in scoring (14.1). Natalie Nielsen ranks third in the conference in blocks per game (1.9).
- 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 four times this season.
Mustangs by the numbers
- On the season, SMSU has four players averaging double figures in scoring, and five averaging over eight points per game. Bri Stoltzman leads the way at 17.1 ppg while leading the team in field goals made, assists, and steals.
- Peyton Blandin ranks second averaging 16.4 ppg, leads the Mustangs with 39 3-pointers and scored a career-high 27 points versus Wayne State on Nov. 26.
- Audrey Swanson ranks third on the team averaging 14.1 ppg and leads the team in rebounding with 8.9 rpg. She has also recorded seven double-doubles.
- Natalie Nielsen averages 11.3 ppg and 6.7 rpg and leads the SMSU defense with 1.9 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 8.9 ppg and ranks second on the team with 31 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, 77 percent from the free throw line, and is plus-8.7 in rebound margin. The Mustangs average 85 points per game with a plus-19.8 scoring margin.
SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS
- In the latest Division II national statistics (Jan. 13), SMSU ranks first in field goal pct. (48.4), third in scoring offense (85.2), ninth in 3-point field goal pct. (37.3), and ninth in scoring margin (19.8).
- Audrey Swanson ranks No. 12 nationally with seven double-doubles and No. 17 in defensive rebounds per game (7.3), while Natalie Nielsen ranks No. 16 in blocks (30) and No. 22 in blocks per game (1.88).
- Bri Stoltzman sits at No. 25 in field goal pct. (55.4), while Peyton Blandin sits at No. 26 in 3-pointers made (39).
Northern state NOTES
- 2024-25 Record: 10-6 overall, 7-3 NSIC
- Head Coach: Paula Krueger, 7th season, 90-86
- MSUM is 10-6 on the season and last played on Jan. 11 earning an 94-48 victory over Augustana.
- Madelyn Bragg leads NSU in scoring averaging 14.1 points, while also recording 7.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. Braggs is shooting 44.0 percent from the field, and 27.3 percent from beyond the arc.
- Michaela Jewett leads the team in rebounds averaging 8.3 per game while averaging 11.5 ppg.
- Rianna Fillipi ranks third on the team averaging 11.4 points per game. Fillipi leads NSU with 5.4 assists per game.
- NSU is shooting 45 percent from the field, 30 percent from 3-point range, and 71 percent from the free throw line and is plus-8.3 in rebound margin. The Wolves average 72 points per game with a plus-7.8 scoring margin.