Northern men host Providence in rivalry rubber game

The University of Providence Argos are one of the Montana State University-Northern Lights' biggest rivals. So, it's no surprise that the first two Frontier Conference meetings between the two have been instant classics.

Now, it's time for round three.

Northern (6-6, 14-10) takes on the No. 25 Argos (7-5, 16-7) in the rubber match tonight inside the Armory Gymnasium, The Lights and Argos have split the two games played in Great Falls this season, and tonight's game will be the third meeting between them in less than a month.

Of course, Northern is riding high after last Saturday's win over second-ranked Carroll College, but Providence comes to Northern on a similar high, having beaten Carroll as well last Friday, then taking down Rocky Mountain College last Saturday.

But that's in the past, and what matters to both teams now is winning the rivalry series. Northern won the first meeting in Great Falls back on Jan. 8, 87-55 in overtime, on a game-winning Caulin Bakalarski 3-pointer. Providence got revenge on Jan. 24 when the Argos nipped the Lights 79-78.

"They've been two battles," Northern head coach Shawn Huse said. "Both teams can put up points in a hurry. They have great scorers, and we have great scorers. So it should be another really close game, and it will take a great effort on our part to have success against them."

The Lights will also hope a change of venue will be the difference as well. Having played UP twice in Great Falls, Northern now gets the Argos, led by the scoring trio of Brandon Cotton, Jalen Shepard and Austin Starr, all of whom average over 15 ppg, in the middle of a four-game homestand. The Argos are also bolstered by Jaxen Hashley's 10 points and league-leading nine rebounds per night. UP also averages over 91 points per game.

"We have to find ways to slow them down," Huse said. "And we have to continue to make shots on our end."

The Lights certainly made shots in their win over Carroll. Northern bombed in 15 3-pointers, and the Lights are hoping for more of the same kind of shooting against the Argos tonight. Mascio MacCadney, Adam Huse, Justin Dunsmore, Bakalarski, Devin Bray, and Kavon Bey are all averaging 10 or more points per game for a Northern squad which is among the Frontier leaders in 3-point shooting.

And, while the Lights pride themselves on their defensive prowess too, they know that, against the high-flying Argos of head coach Steve Keller, putting the ball in the hole will make all the difference in winning the season series against UP, and, staying in the hunt for a home playoff game.

"It's going to be another battle in the Frontier," Coach Huse said. "You've seen that, in this league, anybody can turn it on, and anybody can get anybody. It's just so tough every night, and Providence has shown that when they're rolling, they can beat anybody. So we have to be ready to go, we know we'll have to play very well to have success against them."

Tonight's game between the Lights and Argos tips at 8 inside the Armory. Northern is also home for a third game against Montana Tech on Friday night. The Lights are 2-0 against the Orediggers.

Lights (6-6, 14-10) vs #25 University of Providence Argos (7-5, 16-7) tonight at 8 p.m.

In Armory Gymnasium

Radio: 92.5 KPQX

Streaming: golightsgo.com

Twitter: HavreDaily

Lights Projected Starters

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

G Adam Huse, 6-1, Jr., 12 ppg

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

F Justin Dunsmore, 6-6, Sr. 13 ppg

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