ARMORY NIGHTS: Skylights host Montana Tech, LC State

It's just as hard to rebound emotionally as it is physically from a game like the Montana State University-Northern Skylights played last Friday night against Carroll College. But, right back in the Armory Gymnasium against two more Frontier Conference stalwarts, that's exactly what the Skylights must do.

The No. 8 Skylights (2-2, 13-2) are back home tonight to host the Montana Tech Orediggers (1-4, 5-11), while they take on red-hot Lewis-Clark State (4-1, 13-3) on Saturday night. Both games tip at 6 inside the Armory, and both teams mean Northern can't dwell on what happened last weekend, or on the unfortunate injury bug that has bitten the Skylights yet again.

"We have to move forward," said MSU-N head coach Chris Mouat. "And these kids understand that. They know what it takes to bounce back, and that's what we have to do now, because we have two very good teams coming in here this weekend."

Northern does have plenty of veteran leadership, in the likes of Natalee Faupel (16 ppg) and Molly Kreycik (9 ppg), as well as star sophomore Jacy Thompson, who is third in the Frontier in scoring at 16 points per night. But, they will also need players to step up this weekend, as the Skylights will be without veteran senior Rachelle Bennett, who suffered an injury at the end of last Friday's narrow loss to Carroll.

In Bennett's absence, the Skylights will look for even more in the post out of newcomers Sierra Richards and Jessica Anderson, as well as sophomore Cydney Auzenne. The sophomore trio of Peyton Filius, Brandy Lambourne and Kate Fetterer will also be asked to do more, and all three have proven they can answer the call.

And there's no doubt, the Skylights will need all hands on deck, starting with tonight's tilt with Montana Tech. The Orediggers may not have a record that sparkles right now, but they aren't fooling Mouat, and in no way will the Skylights be looking forward to Saturday night's huge showdown with LC State.

"Tech's record is a bit surprising, but we're not fooled by it one bit," Mouat said. "Carley (Van Dyke) is doing a phenomenal job with that team, and they have all the pieces in my opinion. They have played a lot of really good teams and I know they're going to win games in this league, and plenty of them."

The Orediggers, who average 71 points per game, and have five starters scoring in double figures, lean on the likes of veterans Martha Dembek (5-9) and Hattie Thatcher (5-5), while up-and-comers like Sammy McGree (5-7) and Montana State transfer Shayla Mack (5-6) join 6-2 center Rachel Ferris in making the Diggers a potent offensive team, and one that will give MSU-N's top-rated defense all it can handle tonight.

"They play at a really fast pace," Mouat said of the Tech offense. "Hattie Thatcher is the engine. She really makes them go. And they have shooters who can really get it going. And when they get hot, look out, they are so explosive. They really put a lot of pressure on you with their pace and their quickness and their athleticism. They will be a handful to guard."

Of course, guarding is what the Skylights do best. They come into this weekend's games allowing a mere 50 points per game, which is again No. 1 in all of NAIA Division I. But, Northern's defense will have to be really good in order to slow down Lewis-Clark State on Saturday night.

The No. 20 Warriors are also one of the best defensive teams in the country, but, on the flip side, they are averaging a Frontier best 82 points per game, making head coach Brian Orr's club one of the toughest stop.

And the formula for Orr and the Warriors is the same as always. Great point guard, athletic wings and a lot of size in the paint.

Caelyn Orlandi (5-9) is the sensational point guard who runs the LCSC offense. But talented athletes like Kaylea Knox (5-4), Brittany Tackett (6-1), Megan Risinger (5-11) and Hailey Turner (6-1) are stepping up to help with the loss of super-star guard Tanis Fuller. And once again, LCSC is the tallest team in the league, with five players who stand 5-11 or taller, so, the Skylights will once again have their hands full defensively.

"They (Warriors) are the hottest team in our league right now," Mouat said. "It's been very impressive to watch the way they're playing and the way they're beating really good teams.

"Orlandi is a great player, she can score in a million different ways," he added. "But she can't be the focal point because they have so many weapons at every position. They have shooters, they have athletes and they have a lot of size. They are exceptional defensively. And they have a lot of returning players with national tournament experience. They are just a really complete team."

And that's not new to the Skylights. They saw the same thing in a split with Frontier powers UGF and Carroll last weekend. So, make no mistake, the Skylights are battle tested and more than ready to face the challenges they have this weekend.

"We're expecting two really tough games this weekend," Mouat said. "Fortunately, they are at home, and the kids are always excited about playing at home in front of our great fans."

Tonight's game between Northern and Tech tips at 6 inside the Armory Gymnasium. Saturday's NAIA showdown between the Skylights and Warriors also tips at 6 p.m. The Skylights are also home next weekend to host Rocky Mountain College and UM-Western.

Skylights Projected Starters

G Jacy Thompson, 5-6, So., 16 ppg

G Molly Kreycik, 5-7, Jr., 9 ppg

F Cydney Auzenne, 5-10, So., 4 ppg

F Natalee Faupel, 5-10, Jr., 14 ppg

F Sierra Richards, 6-0, Jr., 8 ppg