Skylights open league play against the Frontier's best

Talk about your tough openers. The beginning of Frontier Conference play couldn't get any more difficult than what the Montana State University-Northern Skylights are about to face.

Northern (3-4) opens league play tonight at now national powerhouse Carroll College. And if that wasn't difficult enough, MSU-N's first conference home game comes Saturday against another Frontier favorite, the University of Providence.

"We will see some of the best players in the country on some of the best teams in the country this weekend," MSU-N head coach Chris Mouat said. "It's a huge challenge for our team, and one I know they will embrace."

Mouat knows of which he speaks.

Carroll, ranked No. 5 in the new NAIA Coaches Poll, is 9-2 on the season, but the Fighting Saints have played one of the toughest schedules in the country thus far. They also have one of the toughest lineups in the country, including former Havre Blue Pony Dani Wagner, a senior who is averaging 17 points and six rebounds per night, and has won back-to-back Frontier Conference Player of the Week honors.

Wagner, though, has lots of help. Returners Christine Denny, Jamie Pickens, Sienna Swannack, Maddie Geritz, Kamden Hilborn and Jaidyn Lyman, to name a few, make Carroll one of the most talented, and experienced teams in all of the NAIA.

"Carroll is, without a doubt, worthy of consideration as the top team in the nation," Mouat said. "They have three All-Americans and are really deep. They have kids coming off of their bench that would start for a lot of teams. They just play really well at both ends and they've done great things with a really tough schedule. They have a ton of experience in their system and they run it well. We will have to be very sharp for a full 40 minutes and continue to improve in taking care of the ball, making the open shot, and rebounding."

Providence (9-2) will be no slouch Saturday. The Argos return a pair of All-Americans in the form of Emilee Maldonado and Parker Esary. Providence also boasts a host of talented, and big players who make them the high-scoring team that they are.

"Providence has two All-Americans as well, and plenty of talent around them," Mouat said. "They shoot it well and have a dominant post player. Like Carroll, they are great on the offensive boards so that will be a huge point of emphasis for us."

As tough as both the Saints and Argos are, the Skylights will never step aside.

Northern leans heavily on returning seniors Peyton Kehr and Sydney Hovde, as well as sophomore guard L'Tia Lawrence. Sophomore Ryley Kehr has also stepped up big for Northern this season, and that's what Mouat wants to continue to see - his young team continue to improve and build.

"We simply need to show continued improvement as the season progresses and have been working hard in all areas to do so," Mouat said. "The Frontier is always tough and this year is no different."

Tonight's game at Carroll will tip at 5 in Helena. The Skylights come home to play the Argos Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Armory Gymnasium.