SMSU versus Wayne State GAME ROSTERS (Print)
today
- SMSU kicks off the week with its NSIC opener on Tuesday, Nov. 26, hosting Wayne State with a 5:30 p.m. tip-off
series history
- Today will be the 66th meeting between WSC and SMSU, with the Wildcats holding a 42-23 advantage in a series that began in 1991.
- The teams met once a season ago, resulting in a 75-68 road win for the Mustangs.
- SMSU broke a 21-game losing streak to WSC in 2020 and has since gone 5-5 in the previous 10 meetings.
- SMSU is 15-17 all-time at home versus WSC.
MUSTANG TIP-OFF TIDBITS
- In the current NSIC stats, SMSU leads the league in scoring margin (22.8), field goal pct. (49.2), and rebounding margin (10.6), while ranking second in scoring offense (86.2), third in 3-point field goal pct. (37.1), fourth in assists (15.80), and sixth in blocked shots (3.80).
- Stoltzman ranks third in the league in scoring (21.2), second in field goal pct. (59.7), and sixth in steals (1.8), while Swanson ranks fourth in rebounding (8.4) and fifth in field goal pct. (52.6). Nielsen ranks fourth in the conference in blocks per game (2.2).
- SMSU shot a season-high 54 percent versus Chadron State (Neb.) and has shot 50 percent or higher twice this season.
- SMSU dished out a season-high 22 assists in the victory over Augsburg.
Mustangs by the numbers
- On the season, SMSU has four players averaging double figures in scoring, and five averaging over seven points per game. Bri Stoltzman leads the way at 21.2 ppg while leading the team in field goals made, assists, and steals.
- Audrey Swanson ranks second on the team averaging 15.0 ppg and leads the team in rebounding with 8.4 rpg. She has also recorded seven steals and a pair of double-doubles.
- Peyton Blandin ranks third averaging 14.0 ppg and is second with 18 made free throws.
- True freshman Nicole Maenke is fourth on SMSU with 10.2 ppg and leads the Mustangs with 11 3-pointers.
- Natalie Nielsen averages 7.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg and 2.2 bpg.
- SMSU is shooting 49 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3-point range, 72 percent from the free throw line, and is plus-10.6 in rebound margin. The Mustangs average 86 points per game.
SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS
- In the latest Division II national statistics (Nov. 24), SMSU ranks No. 7 in free throws made per game (18.40), ninth in field goal pct. (49.2) and scoring offense (86.2), 19th in scoring margin (22.8), and 23rd in rebound margin (10.6).
- Bri Stoltzman ranks 13th in scoring (21.2) and 27th in field goal pct. (59.7), while Natalie Nielsen ranks 18th in blocks per game (2.20) and 22nd in total blocks (11).
- Nicole Maenke ranks 13th in the nation in 3-point field goal pct. (57.9).
WAYNE STATE NOTES
- 2024-25 Record: 2-1 overall, 0-0 NSIC
- Head Coach: Brent Pollari, 7th season, 66-88
- Wayne State is 2-1 to start the season after picking up a pair of wins over Chadron State (Neb.) and Nebraska-Kearney.
- Maya Fitzpatrick leads the Wildcats offense averaging 14.7 ppg, and helps defensively with a team-high seven blocks and three steals.
- Kyla VanDonkersgoed ranks second in scoring at 13.7 ppg and leads the team with 6.0 rpg and 3.0 apg.
- Tate Norblade ranks third with 13.3 ppg and leads the team with 19 free throws.
- WSC is shooting 42 percent from the field, 46 percent from 3-point range, and 76 percent from the free throw line and is minus-1.0 in rebound margin. The Wildcats average 74 points per game with a plus-4.7 scoring margin.