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“The SMSU RN to BSN Program does not have you take a set amount of credits each semester. This flexible scheduling was perfect for me as it allowed me to vary the amount of credits I took each semester. I would have struggled without that flexibility as I am a non-traditional student who is also a wife, mother of four, and worked full time while completing my degree. This program is designed to fit into your life, whether you want to be a full-time or part-time student.”

Leah Bittner, '22 Alum
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Bri Stoltzman named CCA National Player of the Year

Tag Icon Info Category: Athletics

Posted from Thursday, March 27, 2025 through Friday, April 11, 2025

Southwest Minnesota State University senior women's basketball standout Bri Stoltzman has been named the Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) Ron Lenz National Player of the Year, the organization announced on Tuesday. The D2CCA Ron Lenz Player of the Year and All-American teams are selected by college sports communicators from NCAA Division II schools and conferences. Stoltzman, a 5-foot-8 guard and native of Mankato, Minn., is the first SMSU basketball player (men's and women's) in school history to earn player of the year honors at the national level.

She was also named the WBCA first-team All-American, D2CCA Central Region Player of the Year, All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference first team, NSIC Player of the Year, and NSIC Outstanding Senior of the Year this season.

Stoltzman averaged 22 points per game with a school single-season record of 703 points in 32 games this season. She shot 54.1 percent from the field, with a school record of 268 field goals made while shooting 38 percent (35 of 92) from beyond the arc and 82 percent (132 of 161) from the charity stripe. She also led the team in assists (130) and steals (70).

Stoltzman scored 20 or more points 19 times this season and 30-plus points in six games, including a career-high 41 points on 15 of 19 shooting against Northern State on Jan. 17. The 41 points tied for first in the NSIC and third in the nation for points in a single game.

In NSIC play, Stoltzman ranked second in the conference in scoring (21.5) and field goal pct. (.529), while ranking third in assists (4.5), third in assist/turnover ratio (1.6), fourth in free throw pct. (.857), and seventh in steals (2.1).

In the latest NCAA stats (March 17), Stoltzman ranks third in field goals made (268), fourth in points (703), seventh in scoring (22.0), and No. 15 in field goal pct. (.541)

Stoltzman concluded her career, holding numerous spots in the program career records, finishing second in points (1,764), third in field goals made (652) and field goal pct. (.521), fifth in free throws made (360) and steals (210), sixth in scoring (14.8), seventh in assists (333), and ninth in rebounding (683).

SMSU set a program record of 28 wins this season and advanced to the NCAA tournament for the third time in program history, ultimately falling to No. 1 seed Pittsburg State (Kan.) in the NCAA Central Region Championship game on March 17. The Mustangs finished the 2024-25 season with a 28-5 overall record.

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