One Last Blast in the Armory: Skylights close with Warriors, Orediggers

The Montana State University-Northern Skylights have played in a lot of big games this season. In fact, Northern has played eight of them against NAIA nationally ranked opponents. So, the fact that this weekend’s regular season Frontier Conference finale doubleheader in Havre is so big shouldn’t bother the Skylights too much.

The No. 16 Skylights (10-6, 21-6) start their big home finale tonight with a monster showdown with the No. 12 Lewis-Clark State Warriors (14-2, 23-4) and finish up the regular season with a senior night showdown with Montana Tech (4-12, 8-19) Saturday night. Both games tip at 6 p.m. inside the Armory Gymnasium.

And while both games are huge, there’s a lot riding on them for the Skylights, who knocked off nationally ranked UGF and Carroll College at home last week. The wins vaulted MSU-N into a tie with the Argos for second place in the Frontier standings, and if MSU-N can win out, it will finish second and host a Frontier Conference semifinal next weekend.

MSU-N certainly has the confidence to do just that, too. Not only did the Skylights beat two very good teams at home, but they also have a win over LCSC in hand, as well as two over Tech. Northern is also playing some of its best basketball of the season, with junior Natalee Faupel leading the way at over 17 points per game, while Jacy Thompson averages 16 and sophomore Cydney Auzenne is pitching in with 11. Molly Kreycik and Sierra Richards combined for another 16 per game, which gives the Skylights’ offense a big boost, to go with its Frontier leading defense, which allows just 53 points per night.

“I’m proud of the way these kids have regrouped and fought back,” MSU-N head coach Chris Mouat said. “A couple of weeks back, they really took it on the chin at Carroll and UGF. So, how well we’ve been playing lately really says a lot about our kids. They’ve really battled, and worked hard to get better. And, hopefully, we keep doing what we do, and that’s good defense and rebounding, and execute our offense.”

The Skylights will need to do those things especially well tonight against the Warriors, who have already sewn up the Frontier’s regular season title. LCSC beat Northern 71-51 in Havre last month, but just three weeks ago, the Skylights paid the Warriors back in Lewiston, Idaho. So tonight’s rubber match is a big one.

“It is a big game,” Mouat said. “LC is the deepest team in our league. Their bigs hurt you, they have great perimeter players and their bench players at every position, could start for other teams in our league. They are just very complete, and their depth sets them apart.”

The Warriors are deep, but the talent starts with junior Caelyn Orlandi, a sensational guard who can score from anywhere. On the inside, Hannah Byerly, Megan Risinger, Brittany Tackett and Laurenna Plourd are strong and dangerous, while sharp-shooters Natahnee Spencer and Brooke Litalien only add to the Warriors’ firepower. And, the highest-scoring team in the league also allows just 57 points per game, so the Warriors are indeed complete.

“They always play well, they always have a great game plan,” Mouat said of the Warriors. “Brian (Orr) has done such a great job with them for so long now, they just always come ready to play. They are just a quality basketball team.”

While Northern is focused on tonight’s big showdown with LCSC, the Skylights can’t ignore the Orediggers Saturday night, which will be senior night for injured MSU-N star Rachelle Bennett.

“Tech is playing really well right now; they’ve really got it going,” Mouat said. “They are fighting for their playoff lives, and we know they are going to come in here, play hard, and give us everything they’ve got.

“They play fast, they’re comfortable really pushing the tempo at both ends,” he added. “And they are really dangerous. Go up and down their roster and every one of those kids can put the ball in the basket. So we know we will have our hands full with them.”

Northern has beaten Tech twice this season, but because the Orediggers are playing for a coveted Frontier playoff berth, and because they have quality scorers like Hattie Thatcher, Martha Dembek, Sammy McGree, sisters Kourtney and Kaylynn Coverdell and so many others, the Skylights won’t be able to relax for one second, regardless of what happens tonight against LC State.

“Both games are really big,” Mouat said. “Both nights will be a heck of a challenge for us. We’re playing for a lot right now, but so are both teams coming in here. So, hopefully, we can come out in each of these games and continue to build on the momentum we’ve put together these last few weeks.”

Tonight’s game between the Skylights and Warriors tips off at 6 inside the Armory Gymnasium. Saturday night’s regular season finale between Northern and Tech also tips at 6 p.m. The Frontier playoff bracket will be announced Sunday.

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., 11 ppg

F Natalee Faupel, 5-10, Jr., 17 ppg

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