Lights chase a home playoff game on the road

It has been a season of ups and down for the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team. Northern has pulled off amazing comeback wins on the road and dominant wins at home but has experienced shortcomings in the Frontier Conference as well.

But after dominant wins over Rocky Mountain College and the University of Montana Western last week, the Lights have a shot at hosting a playoff game in March. To do that, Northern will have to pull off some upset wins over two tough opponents, the University of Providence Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the McLaughlin Center in Great Falls and Carroll College tonight at 7:30 at the PE Center.

MSU-Northern Lights head coach Shawn Huse knows how difficult the weekend will be against the Argos and the Fighting Saints, but he knows what can set his team straight on the path to success, too.

"Well it comes as no surprise that the last weekend could have post-season implications from top to bottom in the Frontier," Huse said. "Our mentality has been all along that every game matters, and that's how we approach them all. Carroll and Providence have been playing tough, and have proven to be tough, all year long. We have our work cut out for us on the road but feel like we have been playing as well as anyone down the backstretch of the season. "

The Lights have a lot of talent and leadership on their side for the last leg of the regular season. Big scorers led by Adam Huse, Kavon Bey and Mascio McCadney have been on fire for Northern all season. On top of that, Cedric Crutchfield and Jesse Keltner add some height advantage to the table, as well.

But, Northern's first opponent in No. 17 Carroll College will not be an easy test. The Saints are a powerhouse once again in the Frontier, with Havre native Dane Warp tearing up the court all year for Carroll. But the Saints are quite the young team, too, which is a double-edged sword on its own. Either way, Carroll has split with the Lights this season, so tonight's game is the rubber match.

Then comes Frontier prowess in No. 10 Providence on Saturday. Led by star big man junior Zaccheus Darko-Kelly, who has won the NAIA Player of the Week three straight times, there is no limit to the Argos potential this season. At the same time, senior Brandon Cotton and junior Joel Thabize will act as a one-two punch for any team in their way.

But MSU-Northern will be fighting for a home playoff game this weekend, as well, to sweep the weekend and play in the Armory Gymnasium to start off the postseason. It will not be an easy task, but Huse knows the keys for his team to make some noise on the road

"Our defense will need to be in place once again if we want to be in a successful position at the end of each night," Huse said. "And finding and making our shots will be important as well, against their similar yet different defenses. It should be an exciting finish at the end in the always-intense Frontier Conference."

MSU-Northern faces off against Carroll College tonight at 7:30 at the PE Center in Helena, followed by a game versus the University of Providence Argos in the McLaughlin Center Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Great Falls. The Lights also split with UP this season.