Independent file photo. Southwest Minnesota State University's Natalie Nielsen gets set on defense against Augsburg on Nov. 16, 2024, at the R/A Facility in Marshall.

SIOUX FALLS — Looking to start the postseason strong in hopes of clinching its first Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament title since 2002, the second-seeded Southwest Minnesota State University womens basketball team takes on No. 7 Minnesota State University Moorhead today at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. in the quarterfinals. 

SMSU finished its regular season 25-3 overall and 19-3 in the NSIC, earning second place in conference standings behind No. 1 Concordia-St. Paul, who finished 26-2 and 20-2 in conference. 

In last year’s NSIC tournament, the Mustangs entered as the fifth-seed and made it to the semifinals, where they suffered an 88-72 loss to Minnesota State, who went on to become NSIC and National Champions. This marked the sixth time in program history SMSU made it to the semifinals. 

The Mustangs enter the postseason with good momentum, coming off a recent 17-game win streak, which was the second longest in program history following 20 straight wins in the 2001-02 season. They dropped their regular season finale 78-75 to Northern State on Feb. 22 in Aberdeen, S.D. 

The Dragons and SMSU met once over the regular season in Marshall on Jan. 10, with the Mustangs coming away with a 93-70 victory. 

The game was close to start, although SMSU had a 43-34 lead by halftime. The Mustangs were able to create more of a buffered lead after outshooting the Dragons 24-18 in the third quarter. 

SMSU outrebounded MSUM 46-39, and had 52 points in the paint to the Dragon’s 34, serving as the game’s biggest difference makers. 

Having an efficient scoring night, the Mustangs shot 50% from the field and 30% from the 3-point line while limiting MSUM to 35-26% shooting marks. 

Bri Stoltzman had a game-high 23 points with seven assists, while Peyton Blandin and Kenzie Jones each sank four 3-pointers for 18 and 14 points respectively. Audrey Swanson tallied an 18-point,10 rebound double-double. 

In NSIC play, SMSU currently ranks second in scoring with 80.8 points a game, behind Minnesota States’ conference leading 87.8 a game. MSUM ranks ninth for scoring, averaging 63.5. 

Heading into today, SMSU ranks second in 3-point percentage at 36.6% in the NSIC, while the Dragons sit last at 27.1%. 

The Mustangs also rank first in rebounding with 42.3 a game, powered by conference-leading Swanson, who averages 9.8 a game herself. 

When the Dragons and Mustangs last met, Ashton Safranski, Terryn Johnson, Natalie Jens and Karlee Fisher all finished in double-figures. 

SMSU will need to watch the hands of Safranksi, a freshman, who leads the conference with three steals a game and has 75 on the season so far. 

Jens is the Dragons’ leading scorer with 12.5 a game, while Johnson leads with an average of 5.7 rebounds. 

For the Mustangs, Stoltzman leads with 21.4 points a game, and also ranks second in the NSIC. 

Stoltzman also was named the NSIC Player of the Year and to the NSIC first team Thursday morning. Swanson also made the first team, while Blandin was named to the second team. 

Jens grabbed first team honors for MSUM, while Johnson also made the second team. 

The winner between the two will advance to the semifinals on Monday at 1:30 p.m., and the championship game is slated for 4 p.m. on Tuesday. All games will be held at the Sanford Pentagon. 

Games will also be broadcasted live with play-by-play provided on 105.1FM KARL. 

Tip-off for today’s game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.