Lights begin league play with Western and Rocky

The Montana State University-Northern Lights have had to play their December Frontier Conference openers away from home for many years now. Finally, though, the Lights get to begin league play inside the friendly confines of the Armory Gymnasium.

Tonight, the No. 17 Lights (5-0) begin league play with a showdown against the Montana Western Bulldogs (5-3), with the opening tip set for 8. Northern also hosts Rocky Mountain College Saturday night to conclude the first week of Frontier basketball.

And it's a big week for the Lights, who are off to a sensational start this season. The Lights come into Frontier play allowing just 53 points per night, which is tops in the NAIA. In fact, the Lights are leading the country in several defensive categories, while offensively, Northern's deep lineup, led by veterans Kavon Bey (17 ppg), Mascio McCadney and Adam Huse, who all average double figures, is being complimented by the Lights' depth. Jesse Keltner, Gio Jackson and David Harris have been outstanding additions, while Devin Bray and center Cedric Crutchfield are providing the Lights with outstanding leadership on the floor.

"I like where this team is at right now," Northern head coach Shawn Huse said. "I like the way we're playing really good, team basketball."

But as well as the Lights are playing, Frontier games always present new challenges.

Tonight, the Lights take on a much-improved Western team led by newcomer James Jones who averages 19 points per night. In fact, the Dawgs come in scoring almost 90 ppg, with Cedric Boone averaging 15 and Brian Howell chipping in with 11.

"Western has a tough team that can score in every way and play tough on defense," Huse said. "They have shown that they can go inside out or outside in, and produce at a high level either way. We will need to be sharp on both ends from tip to finish on Thursday."

Western isn't the only tough team coming to Havre either. Saturday night, the Lights will have to deal with RMC (4-1), which, despite losing All-American Shawn Samuelson, has a veteran roster that includes five double-digit scorers including former Box Elder star Brandon The Boy, who scores 13 per night from his point guard position. Add in Clayton Ladine's 15 points per night, and a healthy Sam Vining, and the Battlin' Bears are still a tough crew despite losing four starters from last year's squad.

"They (Bears) have shown great proficiency from the perimeter, but you cannot sleep on their driving and inside game or they will make you pay," Huse said. "They play very hard as well, on both ends of the floor. If we expect success, we are going to have to find ways to get stops and turn them into points."

The Lights will meet the Battlin' Bears Saturday night at 8 p.m. in the Armory. But first, Northern takes on Western in a Frontier opener tonight at 8 inside the Armory Gymnasium.

#17 Lights (5-0) vs Western (5-3) tonight at 8 p.m; vs RMC (4-1) Saturday at

8 p.m.

In Armory Gymnasium

Radio: 92.5 KPQX

Streaming: golightsgo.com

Twitter: HavreDaily

Lights Projected Starters

G Devin Bray, 5-10, Sr., 7 ppg

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

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

F Kavon Bey, 6-6, Sr. 18 ppg

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