MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State head women's basketball coach Mike Jewett announced today that Samantha Abens from Knoxville, Iowa, has signed a letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic career at SMSU.

Abens, a 5-foot-8 guard, is currently a senior at Knoxville High School where she is on pace to pass the 1,000-point mark.  A three-year all-conference and all-district performer, Abens owns her school's career record for three-pointers and is in the top-five in the state in the same category.  Last season, she was named all-state and led KHS to a top-10 finish in Iowa while averaging 14.4 points per game.  Through her junior season, Abens has 956 points, 192 three-pointers, 280 rebounds, 228 assists and 221 steals.

“Sam's skill set and knack for scoring will be great additions to our program," said Jewett.  "She can shoot the three with accuracy and range, and she is deceptively explosive off the dribble. We love her scorer's mentality and look forward to working with her throughout her college career.”"

Breanna Holleman from Hancock, Minn., Hannah Beeler from Indianola, Iowa, Jessie Watts from Omaha, Neb., and Ellen Degler from Chaska, Minn., have also signed with SMSU for the 2010-11 season.

The Mustangs host the SMSU Classic presented by State Farm Insurance this weekend and will play Truman State (Mo.) on Friday at 6 p.m. and Hillsdale (Mich.) on Saturday at 6 p.m.

Southwest Minnesota State University, located in Marshall, Minn., is a member of NCAA Division II and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.