Lights brace for AmericInn Classic storm

Just two games stand between the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team and Frontier Conference play.

And both games will certainly test the Lights. Northern begins play today in the AmericInn Classic in Havre against nationally-ranked Black Hills State. The Lights and Yellowjackets tip off at 6 at the MSU-Northern Fieldhouse. MSU-N then wraps up non-league play on Thursday with a game against the University of Lethbridge.

Both games will be tune-ups for the Lights (8-4), who begin conference play Jan. 8 in Great Falls. But tonight's game against Black Hills will be an especially big challenge. Northern lost to BHSU back in November, 65-62. The games in South Dakota was just Northern's second of the season and the Lights had a chance to knock the Yellowjackets off at the end. Now, while both teams have come a long way, Northern can really gauge just where it's at this season with another go-around against the Yellowjackets.

But beating BHSU isn't the only priority in tonight's contest. MSU-N head coach Shawn Huse would like to see his team play a little better than it did against an overmatched King's College team last Wednesday in Havre. The Lights blew the Eagles out as expected, and for his efforts, junior forward Joe Simpson was named Frontier Conference Player of the Week. But Northern didn't play as crisp a game as it could of. Still, Huse says the Lights will be ready tonight.

"That's happened to us several times," Huse said. "We play a team we have a big advantage over right before we play a really good team. So we are used to having to pick the intensity level up a little more and I suspect our guys will do that against Black Hills.

"I think they are excited to get another shot at them (Yellowjackets)," Huse said. "They are a very good team, very well-rounded with good size and good guards, and they really test every aspect of your team and how you play. So this is a great game for us as we get ready for conference play."

And BHSU (12-2) will test the Lights tonight. BHSU has just two losses on the season, both coming in play-up games. The Jackets' lost to Big Sky Conference front runner Northern Colorado, as well as NAIA Division I power Point Loma Nazarene. BHSU is currently ranked No. 7 in NAIA Division II, and with a senior-laden team led by 6-7 forward Luke Enos, the Yellowjackets are poised to make a deep postseason run again this year.

So too however are the Lights, and a win over BHSU would be a great way for Northern to go into conference play. The Lights are getting plenty of offensive production from guards Shaun Tatarka, LaVon Myers and Devin Jackson, while Simpson and Chris Brown have really stepped up play inside. But it's Northern's defense which has been stellar and will need to be again the next two games. The Lights have held three of their last four opponents under 50 points and under 40 percent shooting from the floor, and they'll look for more of the same at home this week.

And while tonight's game with BHSU is a big one, the Lights won't be overlooking Lethbridge on Thursday night. The Pronghorns are a top tier Canadian team and always play well in Havre. Lethbridge also has plenty of experience against Frontier Conference schools and as always, they'll be quick and have good shooters.

Still, tonight's game is the marquee matchup of the event. While Northern takes on Black Hills tonight at 6, and the Pronghorns on Thursday at 6 p.m., Montana Tech will also have two games at the AmericInn Classic. The Orediggers will play Lethbridge today at 4, and then take on BHSU at 4 p.m. on Thursday. All of the action will take place at the MSU-Northern Fieldhouse.

2010 AmericInn

Classic

Today

4 p.m. Montana Tech vs Lethbridge

6 p.m. Lights vs Black Hills

Thursday

4 p.m. Montana Tech vs Black Hills

6 p.m. Lights vs Lethbridge