Lights resume Frontier play in the Armory

The non-conference season has been a grind for the Montana State University-Northern Lights. But the Lights are rewarded with starting 2019 in the friendly confines of the Armory Gymnasium.

Tonight, Northern (0-2, 8-6) resumes Frontier Conference play by hosting the UM-Western Bulldogs at 8. The Lights continue their homestand Saturday by welcoming in 10th-ranked Lewis-Clark State to the Armory. That game also tips off at 8 p.m.

And while the Bulldogs and Warriors are old conference foes, they both have a new look this season, and it's on the bench. Tonight, Western (0-2, 6-7) makes its Armory debut without longtime head coach Steve Keller. Keller took a move to the University of Providence this summer.

Keller built Western into an absolute NAIA powerhouse over the last decade with multiple national tournament appearances. But his departure, coupled with heavy losses to graduation, namely Dom Robinson, have left new head coach Mike Larsen in a tough spot. Kooper Kidgell (6-4) is back as a three-year starter, while Troy Scott (6-4) has plenty of experience, too. Colin Achenbach and Derek Durocher have also stepped up this season, as have transfers Cedric Boone and Jaycob Payne, but in general, Western averaging just 77 points per night, while giving up 70 per game just doesn't seem like the juggernaut its been for so many years now. Still, MSU-N head coach is expecting nothing less than a dogfight from the Dawgs.

"They have shown the ability to score from everywhere this year ... and are very scrappy and tough on defense," Huse said of the Dawgs. "We know we will need to work extremely hard on both ends if we want to come out on top."

When L-C State (2-0, 13-1) comes calling Saturday night, the Warriors will come in as one of the top teams in all of the NAIA. But they'll do it without longtime head coach Brandon Rinta. A consistent national tourney team in recent years, LCSC goes into Frontier play as dominant as ever under new head coach Austin Johnson. Returning stars Cory Dollarhide (6-0) and Dana Abe (6-4) are a big reason why, while Race Martin (6-6) is as good as any big man in the league. But it's LCSC's depth and athleticism that has them riding high. The Warriors average just over 98 points a game, while surrendering just 57 per outing. They are the top rebounding team in the Frontier, too, with plenty of length in the post.

"This is one of the most athletic, big teams you will see at our level," Huse said. "They are capable of making plays from everywhere on the court. We really have to be on point so we can score in those short windows and defend against their length and speed."

And being on point is Northern's goal. The new-look Lights have spent the last three months gelling in hopes of being ready for the January-February run. Offensively, Northern starts conference play averaging 85 ppg, with five players scoring in double figures. Guards Mascio McCadney and Adam Huse lead the way at 15 and 13 points, respectively, but MSU-N gets plenty of help from seniors Justin Dunsmore and Caulin Bakalarski, as well as junior Devin Bray. Kavon Bey and Cedric Crutchfield have been key additions in the interior, with Crutchfield leading the Frontier in blocks. The Lights are also first in the league in 3-point percentage, while defensively, allow just 64 ppg.

Northern begins conference play tonight at 8 against Western inside the Armory. Saturday night's tilt against LC State also tips at 8 p.m. MSU-N heads back on the road to face No. 23 Providence on Tuesday in Great Falls.

Lights (0-2, 8-6) vs UM-Western (0-2, 6-7) tonight at 8 p.m.; vs #10 LC State (2-0, 13-1) Saturday at 8 p.m.

In Armory Gymnasium

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Lights Projected Starters

G Devin Bray, 5-10, Jr., 11 ppg

G Adam Huse, 6-1, Jr., 13 ppg

G Mascio McCadney, 6-3, So., 15 ppg

F Justin Dunsmore, 6-6, Sr. 12 ppg

F Cedric Crutchfield, 6-8, Jr., 7 ppg