SMSU versus Minnesota Duluth GAME ROSTERS (Print)
today
- SMSU welcomes Concordia-St. Paul today for a match-up between the final two undefeated teams in the NSIC, with tip-off set for 3:30 p.m.
series history
- Today will be the 67th meeting between CSP and SMSU, with the Golden Bears leading 45-21 in a series that started in 1974.
- SMSU took both games in the season series last year, winning 64-62 at home before earning a 76-75 victory on the road.
- The Mustangs snapped a 17-game skid to CSP in 2021 and have since posted a 5-5 mark in the previous 10 meetings.
- SMSU is 11-19 all-time at home versus CSP.
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: 8-0 overall, 2-0 NSIC
- Head Coach: Amanda Johnson, 10th season, 149-95
- Concordia-St. Paul is the only other undefeated team in the NSIC and is currently ranked No. 19 in the most recent WBCA Coaches' Poll, while receiving votes in the D2 CSC media poll.
- Lydia Haack leads the Golden Bears offense averaging 17.4 ppg and adds a team-high 4.9 apg.
- Leah Dengerud ranks third with 11.0 ppg and ranks first with 13 3-pointers and 13 steals.
- Lindsey Becher, the reigning NSIC Player of the Week, ranks second in scoring at 13.3 ppg and adds a team-high 2.6 blocks per game.
- CSP is shooting 42 percent from the field, 30 percent from 3-point range, and 75 percent from the free throw line and is the NSIC leader at plus-9.7 in rebound margin. The Golden Bears average 75 points per game with a plus-12.7 scoring margin.