LAST TIME OUT
- The Southwest Minnesota State women's basketball team (13-10, 11-7 NSIC) gave the undefeated No. 2 ranked Minnesota State Mavericks (24-0, 18-0) arguably their toughest test of the season so far, dropping a close battle 79-71.
- Kylan Gerads led the Mustangs in both points and rebounds with 19 and 11 respectively. Gerads shot 7 of 13 from the floor, 2 of 5 from 3-point range, and managed her third double double of the season. Audrey Swanson followed her record-setting performance on Thursday with 10 points, four assists, and two steals.
- Maddie Thorfinnson had nine points, shooting 2 of 3 from beyond the arc, and Natalie Nielsen added seven points and nine rebounds.
- The Mustangs as a team shot 51 percent from the field (27 of 53) and 36 percent from deep (8 of 22). SMSU outrebounded MSU 50-33, the most rebounds in a game since Jan. 11 last year against Minot State. The Mavericks forced SMSU into committing 40 turnovers, with MSU getting 20 steals.
- Minnesota State, led by Natalie Bremer with 20 points, shot 30 percent from the floor (22 of 73) and 19 percent from behind the 3-point line (3 of 16). MSU attempted 41 free throws to SMSU's 10.
HEAD COACH TOM WEBB
- TOM WEBB is in his 10th season as head coach at SMSU with a 137-129 record, including 102-102 in NSIC play.
- Webb is 228-252 overall in his 18th season as head coach at the Division II level after compiling a record of 91-123 in eight seasons (2008-16) as head coach at Cameron University (Okla.).
- In 2024-25, SMSU advanced to the NSIC championship, and the NCAA Central Region Championship, the first time for Coach Webb at SMSU.
- The team finished with 28 victories a season ago, the most in a single season in program history.
- SMSU also recorded a second place finish in the NSIC last season posting a 19-3 league mark, the programs most conference wins in a season.
MORE ON WINONA STATE
- 2025-26 Record: 15-9 overall, 12-6 NSIC
- Head Coach: Ana Wurtz, 4th season (47-61)
- Senior Hailey Markworth led WSU in points against the Mustangs on Dec. 14 with 27, one of three games with 27 points. Markworth, a Preseason 'Player to Watch', is a 50 percent shooter from the field averaging 16.6 ppg and 6.4 rpg, second on the team. She has scored 20+ points in 10 games this season and was named NSIC South Division Player of the Week on Feb. 9.
- Junior Vivica Bretton scored 18 points for the Warriors in the Dec. 14 meetings between WSU and SMSU. Bretton is currently second on the team in scoring, averaging 12.3 ppg, as well as leading the team in assists with 81 on the season. Bretton tied her career-high 22 points against MSU Moorhead on Jan. 10
- Winona State, ranked in the Preseason Coaches' Poll at No. 12 in the NSIC, currently sit fifth in the overall NSIC standings with a 12-6 conference record.
- Since the Warriors win over SMSU on Dec. 14, WSU has gone 8-5 in 13 games including wins over Augustana and Wayne State twice, and an overtime wih against MSU Moorhead. The Warriors, however, have also suffered losses against Bemidji State, UMary, and a double OT loss to CSP in the same span.
SERIES HISTORY
- SMSU and WSU will meet for the 95th time, with the Mustangs holding a 50-44 lead in the series.
- Despite the loss on Dec. 14, the Mustangs have won five of the last seven against WSU, and have not lost at home in the series since 2020.
- Coach Webb holds a 5-11 record against Winona State at SMSU.
MUSTANGS BY THE NUMBERS
- SMSU has four players averaging double figures in points, with Audrey Swanson leading the team averaging 17.3 ppg. Nicole Maenke with eight 20+ point games is second on the team with 14.8 ppg, while sophomore Kylan Gerads has five games of 20+ points and averages 13.2 ppg. Natalie Nielsen averages both 13.1 ppg and 8.6 rpg ,while shooting 54.4 percent from the field, and leading the team with 19 blocks.
- The Mustangs are shooting 45 percent from the field, 36 percent from 3-point shots, 81 percent from the free throw line and are +4.7 in the rebound margin. SMSU is averaging 73 ppg while opponents are averaging 71 ppg.
SMSU INSIDE THE R/A FACILITY
- The 2025-26 season marks the 30th year the R/A Facility has served as the home arena for SMSU women's basketball.
- SMSU has an all-time record of 211-173 (.549) in 383 games with 16 winning seasons.
GAME LINKS