One Last Blast in the Armory: Momentum: Lights host LC State, Tech

For the first time in Frontier Conference play, the Montana State University-Northern Lights were able to put together back-to-back wins. And with two home games left in the regular season, the Lights would love to do nothing more than do it again.

Northern (6-10, 17-11) will try and follow up last weekend’s sweep of UGF and Carroll College with wins on the final weekend of the regular season. Tonight, the Lights host No. 6 Lewis-Clark State (25-3, 13-3) followed by Saturday night’s regular season finale, and senior night, against the Montana Tech Orediggers (3-13). Both games tip at 8 inside the Armory Gymnasium.

And while both opponents will be tough, and there’s a lot riding on this weekend’s games for all three teams, the Lights and head coach Shawn Huse are excited about the way they’re playing right now.

“We have been saying all year that we believe we have a very good team,” Huse said. “We just need to keep working hard, as I would like to think we are again peaking at the right time of year.”

Indeed. Northern locked up a Frontier Conference playoff berth with last weekend’s sweep, and the Lights secured the No. 5 seed in doing so. But, more importantly, with how MSU-N is playing defense, allowing just 64 points per game, which is tops in the Frontier Conference, as well as a balanced offensive attack, led by seniors Warren Edmondson, K.J. Rech and Trevail Lee, who combine to score 30 points per game, as well as 12 points per night from junior Tyler Chandler, a red-hot David Straughter, and great bench efforts, the Lights come into the final weekend of the regular season as a very dangerous basketball team.

Of course, there is no more dangerous of a team in the Frontier then Lewis-Clark State. The Warriors have clinched at least a share of the Frontier’s regular season title, and they have beaten Northern twice already this season.

Led by star forward Jake Wiley, as well as sharp-shooters Nick Emerson, Cammie Lewis, Doug McDaniel and a deep bench, the Warriors are explosive, scoring 91 points per game. They are also just as good on defense, as they allow just 67 points per night.

So, with all that firepower, as well as a Montana Tech team fighting for its playoff life coming in Saturday, Huse knows two very good teams are coming to the Armory to close out the regular season.

“These are two very tough conference opponents,” Huse said. “Look no further than LC-State's record, and Tech has added more post presence by getting their big man back in the lineup. These will be two very challenging games.”

Tech also presents big challenges for the Lights. The Orediggers may be in last place in the Frontier, but they are a very talented team, led the sensational Jalen Coates, who averages 19 points per night. Veteran Paul Engstrom, along with Cruz Ginns Jr., and some height in the post gives the Orediggers a very formidable lineup. Add in the fact that Tech is fighting with UGF this weekend for the last spot in next week’s Frontier playoffs, and the Diggers will be hungry when they get to Havre Saturday night.

But, Saturday night will also be a special one for the Lights, who will honor seniors Edmondson, Lee, and Rech before the game.

“This is another special group of seniors,” Huse said. “They have done nothing but take care of their business on the floor, off the floor, and in the classroom.  They have poured a great deal of hard work in for Lights basketball, MSU-N, and our community. It has been a pleasure to coach these guys each and every day, and my hope is that anyone that can make it, comes out to show their thank you on Saturday night. 

“We will miss these three, but also look forward to watching them further grow as they move on to the next chapter of their lives,” he added. “I really feel all three will go on to be successful wherever it is that they call home.”

But for this weekend, at least, the Armory is still there home, and they would love nothing more than to go out with two wins against two very good teams. And for the Lights as a whole, to keep the momentum they’ve built over the last couple of games.

This weekend is another opportunity to prove to ourselves how far we have come,” Huse said. “We just really want to stay focused on improvement and become an even more solid basketball team as we move closer to postseason play.”

Tonight’s game between Northern and Lewis-Clark State tips at 8 inside the Armory Gymnasium. Saturday’s senior night clash with Montana Tech will tip at 8 p.m. as well. The Frontier playoff bracket will be announced on Sunday.

Lights Projected Starters

G Trevail Lee, 5-9, Sr., 10 ppg

G Warren Edmondson, 6-2, Sr., 12 ppg

F Ryan Reeves 6-9, So., 5 ppg

F David Straughter, 6-5, Jr., 10 ppg

F K.J. Rech, 6-6, Sr., 9 ppg