Frontier Time: Skylights host defending Dawgs tonight

It's been quite the start for the Montana State University-Northern Skylights, with an undefeated record and several huge non-conference victories.

And now, the Skylights are back in the NAIA Top 25 for the first time in more than two years. However, ranked 14th in the NAIA, the Skylights (7-0) must shift gears as they begin Frontier Conference play with a pair of big rivals. Northern hosts defending national champion Montana Western tonight at 6 in the Armory Gymnasium, then MSU-N welcomes fellow ranked rival Rocky Mountain College Saturday night.

So, while Northern head coach Chris Mouat is excited about the start his team is off to this season, he knows full-well just how tough Frontier play is, and he says his team will have their hands full this weekend.

"We are matched up against two strong teams who can hurt you in a lot of ways, and we'll need to be very sharp," Mouat said. "I like the start we've had, but our league is beyond tough and we all know each other. It is set to be a challenging week, for sure."

The Skylights, though, will challenge both opponents, too. Northern's hot start includes leading all of NAIA in scoring defense, as the Skylights allow a mere 43 ppg. And overall, MSU-N ranks No. 1 in five different defensive categories, while offensively, the balanced Skylights get great scoring from the likes of McKenzie Gunter, Peyton Kehr, Hailey Nicholson, Sydney Hovde and Tiara Gilham, while Kenya Lorton has been giving MSU-N a big scoring punch off the bench.

Of course, tonight's opponent won't care about any of that. And while graduation hit the Western Bulldogs (6-2) hard, as they graduated four starters from last year's national championship team, it appears they aren't missing a beat under veteran head coach Lindsay Wooley.

"Western is still the defending national champion. They play extremely hard and play far bigger than they are," Mouat said. "Coach Woolley has them executing at a high level, and they have played a really tough non-conference schedule. They've been in games with three really good NCAA Division II teams and have some good wins to their credit. He has done a really good job reloading, and they have a ton of kids who are contributing for them at both ends of the floor. Despite losing kids, they still have a bunch of kids back, and they are providing excellent leadership to the newcomers. They are still a top-flight team in the NAIA, no doubt."

Junior Shannon Worster has really stepped up for Western this season, but others have also followed suit. Worster leads the team in scoring and rebounding, while Paige Holmes and Savanna Bignell are also executing at a high level.

And speaking of high levels, that will be the case Saturday night when No. 25 Rocky Mountain College comes calling. The Battlin' Bears (5-1) were struck by graduation too last spring, but with the return of Markaela Francis, who averages 18 points and 11 rebounds per game, and sensational guard Khloie Thatcher, they are a very dangerous club indeed.

"Rocky brings a great 1-2 punch with point guard Khloie Thatcher and Markaela Francis," Mouat said. "They have been bitten by the injury bug lately, but have still won six straight games, including a big win against NCAA Division II MSU-Billings. I expect them to be much closer to full strength for this game. They have shooters, and they have a strong inside game. I know they are always a very well-prepared team, and nationally ranked for a reason. They are very strong defensively and on the boards, and they have plenty of kids who can hurt you."

As good as Rocky is, the Skylights will first be focused on tonight's outing against the Dawgs, in what will be a huge weekend for the unbeaten Skylights.

"We will have to play at a high level offensively and defensively against both Western and Rocky," Mouat said.

Tonight's game between Northern and Western tips at 6 in the Armory. Saturday night's tilt between the Skylights and Bears also tips at 6 p.m.

#14 Skylights (7-0) vs Western (6-2) Tonight at 6 p.m.; vs #25 RMC (5-1) Saturday 6 p.m.

In Armory Gymnasium

Radio: 92.5 KPQX

Streaming: golightsgo.com

Twitter: HavreDaily

Skylights Projected Starters

G McKenzie Gunter, 5-5, Jr.., 12 ppg

G Allix Goldhahn, 5-8, So., 5 ppg

G Peyton Kehr, 5-10, Jr., 10 ppg

F Hailey Nicholson, 5-11, Sr., 10 ppg

F Sydney Hovde, 6-0, Jr., 9 ppg. 7 rpg