Big home rematches for Skylights

The Montanan State University-Northern Skylights couldn’t be more excited about coming back to the friendly confines of the Armory Gymnasium. Especially after winning three of their last four on a grueling six-game road trip.

But, what awaits the Skylights over the next two days, even in their awesome home, is two bitter rivals, and two nationally ranked opponents playing very good basketball right now.

The No. 17 Skylights (8-6, 19-6) play the No. 24 UGF Argos (9-5, 18-8) on Thursday night in Havre, while they host No. 13 Carroll College (9-5, 19-5) Friday night in another huge Frontier Conference showdown.

MSU-N comes into the games trailing both Carroll and UGF by one game in the league standings. The Saints and Argos are currently tied for second, while Northern sits in fourth, so there’s a lot stake for all three teams playing in Havre over the next two nights.

“Playing six league games in a row on the road was a big challenge, it’s something we’ve never had to do before,” Northern head coach Chris Mouat said. “And it took its toll on us. It definitely did.

“So, we’re certainly happy to be coming home,” he continued. “It feels like forever since we’ve played a game in our own gym. So we’re excited about that. But, we’ve also got two ranked, tough opponents coming in here, two really well-coached teams, playing really well. So even at home, we’re facing some big challenges.”

In reality, all three teams are playing at a high level right now. Before Northern’s setback at Rocky Mountain College last Saturday, the Skylights had won three straight on the road, and shot better than 50 percent over those three games, while continuing to be one of the top defenses in the NAIA. The Skylights allow 54 points per game, which is fifth in the NAIA. Northern is also fourth in the country in rebounding.

Over that same stretch, MSU-N junior Natalee Faupel has been on fire, and, averaging 16 points and six rebounds per night, she’s making a strong push for Frontier Player of the Year honors. Faupel also gets plenty of help from Jacy Thompson, who averages 15 points per night, while sophomore Cydney Auzenne has been averaging 11 over her last 10 games, and Sierra Richards is chipping in with nine points and six rebounds per outing.

Meanwhile, like how well Northern has shot the ball lately, the Argos have been red-hot too. Winners of three straight, UGF has surged into title contention behind a lineup that has five players scoring in double figures. Guards Nneka Nnadi and Erin Legel each average 16 per game, while Steph McDonagh chips in with 12, Morgan Greir averages 11 and 6-5 center Whitney George scores 10. As a team, UGF scores 72 points per game.

So defensively, Northern has its hands full with the talented Argos in Thursday night’s rubber match. MSU-N thumped the Argos to start league play back on Jan. 7, but UGF returned the favor with a 60-45 win in Great Falls Jan. 29.

“We need to defend better,” Mouat said. “They shot it extremely well last time out, but I don’t think we defended our rebounded as well as we could have down there. We hang our hat on that every night, and we have to do a much better job with those things this time around, because UGF is so explosive, they execute so well, and they really make you pay for your defensive mistakes.”

While MSU-N must improve its defense in a rematch with the Argos, the Skylights will need to find more offense in their third try against Carroll. The Fighting Saints beat Northern 55-49 in Havre and 55-47 in Helena. And in both of those games, Carroll’s stout defense, which allows just 55 points per game was particularly frustrating to the Skylights.

Make no mistake, with star guard Katie Estey leading the charge, and talented bigs like Cassidy Hashley, Bailee Watson, Jordan Johnston and a host of talented role players, the Saints are a strong offensive team. But, defense is where they win games, and Mouat said his team must play much better offensively if the third time against Carroll is going to be the charm.

“They’re tough to score on,” Mouat said of the Saints. “They are one of the best defensive and rebounding teams in the country. They are very physical, they always have a great game plan and they execute it. We have had our hands full with them trying to generate points, so that’s going to be a big key for us. We have to do a good job of executing so that we get good shots, and when we do get those good shots, we have to finish.

“That really goes for both games,” he continued. “We played pretty well on the road, but we didn’t finish well against Rocky. So we need to clean that up and make sure we’re finishing when we get the looks we want. It’s easier said than done against two well-coached teams like we’re playing this week, but hopefully, we’ll be rested and ready to come out and execute on both ends of the floor.”

Thursday night’s rivalry game between MSU-N and UGF tips at 6 p.m. in the Armory, as does Friday night’s bout between the Skylights and Saints.

No. 17 Skylights vs 24 UGF, Thursday, 6 p.m.; vs No. 15 Carroll, Friday, 6 p.m.

In Armory Gymnasium

Radio: 92.5 KPQX

Streaming: msun.edu/athletics

Twitter: HavreDaily

Skylights Projected Starters

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

G Molly Kreycik, 5-7, Jr., 8 ppg

G Cydney Wuzenne, 5-10, SO., 11 ppg

F Natalee Faupel, 5-10, Jr., 16 ppg

F Sierra Richards, 6-0, Jr., 9 ppg