Skylights look for home momentum

It was only one win, but the victory the Montana State University-Northern Skylights picked up Lewis-Clark State last Saturday night was a big one - for so many reasons.

Among those reasons is confidence and momentum, two things the Skylights (2-12, 10-15) will need as they begin a three-game home stand this weekend against two nationally ranked Frontier Conference opponents. Northern begins the final three home games of the year tonight when the Skylights take on 10th-ranked Carroll College at 6 inside the Armory Gymnasium. MSU-N also welcomes in 11th-ranked Rocky Mountain College Saturday night.

And while both games will be big challenges, and Northern is still dealing with injury issues, head coach Chris Mouat said last Saturday's win in Idaho did a lot for his team moving forward.

"We prepare to win every game," Mouat said. "And this season, through this tough stretch, we've had some close calls. We've had some games get away from us in the second half, but we've also had games that came down to one possession. So to go in and beat LC on their floor, it was big because it got that winning taste back in our mouths and it makes our kids hungry. They want to do it again."

The Skylights are hoping to do it again this weekend. Before beating the Warriors, the last time the Skylights had tasted victory in the Frontier was Dec. 3 when they topped Carroll College in the Armory.

Carroll (11-3, 19-6) has since returned the favor, beating Northern last month in Helena, and the Fighting Saints are riding a four-game winning streak right into the Armory Gymnasium. They're also healthier than they have been all season, led by point guard Bailey Pasta and forward Hannah Dean, who combine for 22 points per night, while Dean is one of the top rebounders in the league at eight per outing. Carroll's depth is also a key to the Saints' recent success. Forwards Michaela Dowdy and Brittney Johnson are tough match ups for the Skylights, Jaidyn Lyman and former Havre High All-Stater Dani Wagner are giving Carroll big sparks every time they're on the floor. As always, the Saints are also a tenacious defensive team, as they allow just 53 points per night.

"They're playing very well right now," Mouat said ahead of Northern's third meeting with Carroll. "It starts with Bailey Pasta and Hannah Dean, those two are very good. But they also have a ton of depth, they just keep bringing in kids that are very good and who can impact the game for them.

"Carroll is also still a monster on the boards, on both ends," he continued. "You have to rebound well against them. And they always get after you defensively, but at the same time, they're really playing well offensively right now. So they're just a really tough matchup because they do so many different things so well."

The Skylights, though, always seem to play their best when the Saints are in town. And with few home games remaining, Northern will lean heavily on veterans Brandy Lambourne and Peyton Filius, as well as senior post Kealani Sagapolu and sophomore standout Shiloh McCormick. Lambourne, Filius and McCormick are all in the Top 10 in the Frontier in scoring, while Sagapolu is MSU-N's leading rebounder.

And while the Skylights will certainly be excited to not only be back at home tonight, but to also be playing a bitter rival in Carroll, they'll have no time to rest, no matter what happens against the Saints. That's because Rocky is coming to the Armory Saturday night.

The Battlin' Bears (10-4, 20-4) are in a three-way fight for the Frontier championship right now, and they are easily one of the most improved teams, not in the Frontier, but in all of the NAIA. Rocky is the top defensive team in the conference, allowing just 49 ppg, while the Bears average 70 offensively.

  They are also loaded with talent. Point guard Mikayla Jones averages 12 points and leads the NAIA in steals, while forward Brooke Jones averages 11 points and seven rebounds, and is a load to handle in the paint. Hailee Farstveet is a 5-10 points guard, while Alecia Chamberlain and Markaela Francis are two more post players who can give teams fits all night long.

"Rocky is as athletic as anybody in our league," Mouat said. "They are a tough matchup. They shoot the ball very well, they have great athletes and great quickness. They defend as well as anybody in our league and they are tough on the boards.

"It's not a mistake that they're ranked where they are," Mouat continued. "Wes (Keller) has done such a great job with that program, and they've earned where they are right now. They're a very complete team, and they're playing at a really high level right now, and have been all season."

Indeed. The Bears own two wins over the Skylights this season, but with last Saturday's triumph at LCSC, Northern is hoping it too is on its way now. A long losing streak is over, and while the Saints and Bears present all kinds of challenges for the Skylights, they're ready to put up a fight against two of the Frontier's best this weekend.

"That win (at LC) was a big sigh of relief," Mouat said. "For all of us. But it also shows that our kids have never stopped believing. They've never stopped fighting. And they got rewarded for that last Saturday. Now, they want to move forward and keep it going."

Tonight's game between the Skylights and Saints tips at 6, as does Saturday night's game between Northern and RMC. Both games are in the Armory Gymnasium. Northern is also home next Wednesday.

Skylights vs No. 10 Carroll tonight, 6 p.m.; vs No. 11 RMC Saturday, 6 p.m.

In Armory Gymnasium

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Skylights Projected Starters

G Brandy Lambourne 5-5 SR 13 ppg

G Shiloh McCormick, 5-9, So. 12 ppg

G Peyton Filius 5-6 JR 12 ppg

F Kealani Sagapolu 5-11 SR 7 ppg

F Jessica Curl 6-1 JR 8 ppg