Breaking Sports: Warriors turn away Lights

MSU-N's Devin Jackson drives to the basket during Saturday night's game with Lewis-Clark State at the Armory Gymnasium.

The Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team had a chance to seize control of the Frontier Conference, but the Lewis-Clark State Warriors had other ideas. Saturday night at the Armory Gymnasium, the third-ranked Warriors bounced the 12th-ranked Lights, 79-65 in a nationally-ranked showdown. The loss was the second in three games for the Lights, but they will remain tied with LCSC and UGF for first in the league standings.

Northern got off to a strong start, leading 21-12 late in the first half. However, the warriors asserted themsleves in the pain, went on a 10-0 run and led 31-30 at halftime. In the second half, the momentum was all on LC's side. The Warriors methodically built up their lead, while the Lights went on a seven-minute scoring drought and could never recover.

MSU-N shot 48 percent from the field while the Warriors shot a blistering 60 percent and out-rebounded the Lights 30-20. Northern got a career-high 27 points from Roshawn West, while LCSC's PJ Bolte scored 24.

The Lights are now 5-2 in league play and 17-4 overall heading into Thursday's road game in Great Falls. MSU-N also has a rematch with the Warriors Saturday night in Lewiston, Idaho.