Independent file photo SMSU’s Sadie Stelter looks to drive past a University of Sioux Falls defender during their game on Dec. 1. The Mustangs will begin their conference play against the Cougars today.

MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota State University women’s basketball team (3-0) prepares the 2019-20 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference today at NSIC South Division preseason favorite the University of Sioux Falls (2-0) with a 7 p.m. tip-off at the Stewart Center.

•SMSU is 3-0 for the first time since the 2007-08 season.

•SMSU started 2-0 at the Newman Classic in Wichita, Kan., and earned a victory versus Presentation College (S.D.) on Saturday.

Broadcast info

•Today’s game will be broadcast on 105.1 FM KARL with Anthony Rohlik handling the play-by-play.

•Live stats, radio broadcast and video can be found at SMSUmustangs. com.

SMSU quick hits

•The 2019-20 season is the 51st of women’s collegiate basketball at SMSU and has amassed 597 all-time victories.

•SMSU is 3-0 to start a season for the first time since 2007-08. SMSU’s last 4-0 start came during the 2004-05 season when the team started 7-0.

•SMSU finished with a 9-5 home record last season earning its first home winning season since 2009-10.

•Freshman guard Sam Wall was named a Top Performer in the South Division for her 14-point game in the home opener. Wall played 13 minutes and had 14 points, including four 3-pointers.

•Junior guard Meleah Reinhart is leading the Mustangs in scoring with 14.3 ppg.

•Junior forward Caleigh Rodning leads SMSU in rebounding with 7.0 rpg.

•Junior center Abuk Akoi leads the team in assists with 2.0 assists per game.

•Rodning and Jenna Borchers are tied in steals with six.

•SMSU is averaging 72.7 ppg, while opponents are averaging 49.7 ppg. SMSU has a plus-1.7 rebounding margin.

•SMSU is shooting 36 percent from the field, 31 percent from the 3-point line, and 81 percent the free-throw line.

SMSU tied for eighth in D2SIDA regional poll

•SMSU is ranked eighth in this week’s D2SIDA Central Region poll released on Tuesday.

•Each of the eight regions has six representatives from D2SIDA that coordinate the regional committee, with a regional poll that will be released every Tuesday during the regular season.

•The D2SIDA weekly rankings are independent of the official NCAA Regional Rankings that will be released towards the end of the regular season and determine the NCAA Tournament teams.

Series history

vs. Sioux Falls

•SMSU has a one-game advantage over USF in the all-time series with a 17-16 all-time record.

•SMSU snapped an 11-game losing streak on Dec. 30, 2018, with a 77-61 victory in Sioux Falls.

•SMSU longest winning streak was from 1989-90 season to 2002-03 with an 11-game winning streak.

•SMSU is 11-6 in games played in Sioux Falls.

Scouting Sioux Falls

•The Cougars started the 2019-20 campaign with a pair of victories over William Jewell and Chadron State in the USF Classic, hosted at the Stewart Center.

•USF ended last season in the semifinals of the NSIC Tournament with a 77-64 loss to tournament champions, MSU Moorhead.

•Head coach Travis Traphagen is in his 11th season as head coach for the Cougars. He holds a 196-103 overall record and is 105-81 in the NSIC.

•Redshirt junior and NDSU transfer Anna Goodhope is the Cougars top scorer, averaging 16.0 points per game, after a 21-point game over William Jewell.

•USF’s senior Kaely Hummel was named NSIC South Preseason Player of the Year and is averaging 15.5 ppg.

•USF is shooting 40 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3-point range, and 89 percent from the free throw line.

•The Cougars average 79.0 points per game, while opponents average 53.5 points per game.

NCAA rankings

•SMSU ranks 11th in the nation in scoring defense (49.7), 11th in field-goal percentage (30.2), and 15th in free-throw percentage (81.0).

•Abuk Akoi ranks 62nd in blocked shots per game (1.67), and Meleah Reinhart ranks 52nd in free-throw percentage (93.8), and Jenna Borchers comes in 27th in three-point percentage (58.8).

NSIC rankings

•SMSU second in free-throw percentage in the NSIC with a 81 pct., leads the conference in blocked shots with five, and ranks second in steal (12).

•Meleah Reinhart is 12th in the league in scoring (14.3) and leads the conference in free throw pct (93.8), Caleigh Rodning is eighth in rebounding (7.0), and Jenna Borchers ranks second in 3-point pct. (58.8).

— Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications