MARSHALL – Southwest Minnesota State will face the top two teams in the NSIC South Division as it travels to face Wayne State and No. 5 Augustana on Friday and Saturday respectively, the final NSIC road trip of the season for SMSU.

SMSU Quick Hits

– SMSU gets set for its final NSIC road trip of the 2017-18 regular season.

– Caleigh Rodning currently ranks in the NSIC’s top-10 in rebounding, free throw percentage, and ranks tied for 13th in scoring.

– Abuk Akoi tied an SMSU single-game record with seven blocked shots against U-Mary.

Wayne State

Game Preview

Wayne State Team Notes

– 2016-17 Record: 23-7, 16-6 NSIC

– 2017-18 Record: 20-6, 14-4 NSIC

– Wayne State swept its weekend NSIC road trip at Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston.

– WSC clinched its seventh 20-win season in the last 10 seasons over the weekend.

– WSC tied its season-high by extending its current win streak to six straight victories.

– Senior guard, Kacie O’Connor, averaged a team-best 14.5 points per game last weekend.

– O’Connor scored season-high 16 points in Wayne State’s 67-60 win at Minnesota Crookston.

– Freshman guard, Halley Busse, had team-high 17 points on 7 of 9 shooting in the Wildcats 77-52 win at BSU.

– Senior forward, Maggie Schulte, had a double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds at BSU.

Series History

– Wayne State leads the all-time series 35-18

– WSC has won 17 straight games over SMSU dating back to 2010 and have won 19 of the last 20 matchups dating back to 2008.

– SMSU last defeated Wayne State, 67-62 back in February of 2009 in Wayne, Neb.

– SMSU is 9-28 all-tme in conference games against Wayne State and is 5-19 all-time on the road in Wayne, Neb.

– Wayne State defeated SMSU, 76-60 back on Dec. 31 in the R/A Facility.

– Caleigh Rodning led SMSU in scoring with 12 points in the first game against the Wildcats.

– Paige Ballinger and Erin Norling combined for 29 pionts for WSC in the first game against SMSU on Dec. 31.

Game Coverage

– SMSU at WSC will be broadcast on 105.1 FM KARL with Ryan Rohlik and Anthony Rohlik handling the play-by-play for SMSU basketball.

– The game can also be viewed online at SMSUmustangs.com.

Augustana Game Preview

Augustana Team Notes

– 2016-17 Record: 23-8, 17-5 NSIC

– 2017-18 Record: 21-1, 17-1 NSIC

– The Vikings again reached their highest regular season ranking of all-time with a No. 5 ranking in the latest WBCA Coaches Poll.

– In two wins last weekend, Augustana combined for 73 points off the bench.

– The Vikings forced 42 total turnovers last weekend including 26 against Bemidji State.

– In both contests over the weekend, Augustana played 14 different players.

– Logan O’Farrell recorded her sixth double-double of the year with a 16 point, 11 rebound performance on Friday night.

– O’Farrell had 12 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals on Saturday night.

– Paige Peterson scored a team-high 14 points in Saturday’s win at Bemidji State.

Series History

– Augustana leads the all-time series 29-12

– The Vikings have won six straight games over SMSU dating back to 2015.

– Augustana has won 13 of the previous 14 games against SMSU dating back to 2011.

– The Mustangs’ last win over Augustana was a 77-71 win on Jan. 3, 2015 in Marshall.

– SMSU is 3-16 all-time on the road at Augustana and 2-15 all-time in conference games against the Vikings.

– SMSU is 2-14 all-time against the Vikings in conference games.

– Augustana defeated SMSU, 91-77 on Dec. 30 in Marshall.

– Erin Baxter led the Mustangs in scoring in the first game against Augustana with 16 points.

– Presley O’Farrell led both teams in scoring with 24 points on 7 of 11 shooting in the first game of the season against SMSU.

Game Coverage

– SMSU at Augustana will be broadcast on 105.1 FM KARL with Ryan Rohlik and Anthony Rohlik handling the play-by-play for SMSU basketball.

– The game can also be viewed online at SMSUmustangs.com.

Recipe for Success

In its five wins this season, SMSU has:

– Committed 13 or fewer turnovers.

– Held opponents to 37 percent shooting or below

– Attempted at least 61 field goals and has a .427 shooting percentage as a team.

– Tied or outrebounded its opponent, pulling in at least 37 total rebounds as a team in each contest.

– Been led in scoring by Caleigh Rodning who has 19.4 ppg and has shot 53 percent (29 of 55) from the field.

Winning Time

In the final five minutes of games this season:

– Abuk Akoi leads SMSU with a .500 shooting percentage while Caleigh Rodning is 8 of 18 (.444) on the season.

– Erin Baxter is 14 of 17 (.824) from the free throw line.

– SMSU opponents are only a combined 56 of 87 (.644) at the free throw line.

4th Quarter

Success

During the fourth quarter of games this season, SMSU:

– SMSU has outscored opponents, 377-365.

– SMSU has shot 40 percent from the floor as a team.

– SMSU has 37 total made 3-pointers with 1.8 fourth-quarter 3-pointers per game.

– Sadie Stelter has scored 61 total points with 12 fourth-quarter assists on the season.

– Erin Baxter has a team-leading 19 made field goals with 59 points while Caleigh Rodning has scored 55 points on 14 of 32 shooting (.438).

Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications