Despite improved play, Skylights unable to keep up with Argonauts

Even with a tough skid to start Frontier Conference competition, the Montana State University-Northern womens basketball team could not catch a break with a game against University of Providence Thursday night at Armory Gymnasium. The Argos came into the game tied for the lead in the conference standings while the Skylights came in at the bottom.

Despite their tough opponent, the Skylights played better than they had in their past few games and were competitive. While they ultimately lost, 80-68, MSU-N head coach Chris Mouat thought his team battled throughout the night.

"Our kids did a good job of giving themselves chances to get back in the game," Mouat said. "We were far better offensively and we got to do that moving forward."

The Argos looked to impose their will early as they raced out to an 11-0 lead in the first three minutes. Parker Esary led the way for the Argos as she dominated down low for six points during the run. Kerstyn Pimperton made a 3-pointer to cap off the run for the Argos.

"I just thought they hit shots and they came out ready to go," Mouat said about the Argos' start. "I think they came out with a sense of purpose of offense and they took it to us and it took us a while to adjust to their speed."

The Skylights were finally able to get on the scoreboard with a pair of free throws from Ryley Kehr with 6:43 left in the opening quarter. The Argos responded with six straight points to stretch the lead out to 17-4 halfway through the quarter. The Skylights were able to eventually find some traction but the Argos ended the first quarter with a 27-12 lead.

Looking to get back in the game, the Skylights started the second quarter on a 10-2 run. Peyton Kehr got the run started with a 3-pointer on their opening possession. After an Argos basket, L'Tia Lawrence nailed a 3-pointer to cut the deficit. A Sydney Hovde layup and two free throws from Kehr cut the Providence lead to 29-22 with just under six and a half minutes left in the half.

"We got some timely stops and then we had a good run offensively there," Mouat said. "We really executed well and we got good looks."

The Argos did not let the game slip away from them as they regained control. Over the final six minutes of the half, the Argos went on a 13-7 run. Emilee Maldonado got hot during this stretch with nine points. In the closing seconds of the half, Brooklyn Harn made a jump shot to give the Argos a 42-29 lead heading into halftime.

To start the second half, Ryley Kehr nailed a 3-pointer and Hovde made a layup to cut the deficit to 42-33. The Argos responded with a 12-5 run to stretch their lead to 54-38 halfway through the third quarter. The Skylights were able to fight back and they cut their deficit to 62-49 with less than two and a half minutes in the quarter. But the Argos again responded to take a 66-50 lead heading to the fourth.

With one last chance, the Skylights played strong to start the final quarter. Morgan Mason got the run started with a layup and a pair of free throws. Lawrence then nailed a 3-pointer and a floater to further cut into the deficit. A layup from Hovde cut the deficit to 69-61 with seven minutes left in the game.

Looking to avoid a collapse, the Argos scored six straight points to stretch the lead to double digits again. The Skylights were unable to cut their deficit to less than ten points the rest of the way as the Argos held on for the win.

The Skylights fall to 7-14 and are 0-7 to begin conference play. Lawrence led the Skylights with 16 points as she went 6-for-14 from the field and 3-for-6 from deep. Peyton Kehr scored 15 points as she went 8-for-11 from the free-throw line. As a team, the Skylights shot 53.5 percent from the field and they went 18-for-26 from the charity stripe.

Esary recorded a triple-double for the Argos as she scored 25 points and brought down 12 rebounds. As a team, the Argos outrebounded the Skylights, 29-18, on the night.

"Parker Esary is one of the best offensive rebounders in the country. She's phenomenal and she hurt us tonight," Mouat said. "I think they were really good but I think we also had some self-inflicted wounds during some stretches tonight on the boards."

While the Skylights lost the game, Mouat believes they can build off their improved offensive performance as they move forward with their season.

"We had offensive success. I think that was huge for us given that we're coming off a 34-point output which is unacceptable and we're better than that," Mouat said. "We were able to put points on the board. That's a huge positive and I think we were balanced."

The Skylights will next play Saturday at 2 p.m. at Armory Gymnasium against another tough opponent in Rocky Mountain College.

UP 80, MSU-Northern 68

UP - 27 15 26 12 - 80

MSU-N - 12 17 21 18 - 68

UP - Parker Esary 10-15 5-6 25, Emilee Maldonado 6-11 5-6 19, Reed Hazard 7-15 2-2 19, Maddy Dixon 2-6 0-0 6, Brooklyn Harn 1-4 2-2 4, Kerstyn Pimperton 1-3 0-0 3, Jaynah Gopher 1-1 0-0 3, Delaney Pink 0-0 1-2 1, Kenedy Cartwright 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 28-56 15-18.

MSU-N - L'Tia Lawrence 6-14 1-1 16, Peyton Kehr 3-5 8-11 15, Sydney Hovde 6-8 0-2 12, Danielle Tyler 3-4 1-2 7, Ryley Kehr 1-5 5-7 7, Savannah Toms 2-3 1-1 5, Morgan Mason 1-3 2-2 4, Shyan Krass 1-1 0-0 2. Totals: 23-43 18-26.

Halftime: UP 42-29; 3-pointers: UP 8-16 (Reed Hazard 3, Emilee Maldonado 2, Maddy Dixon 2), MSU-N 4-11 (L'Tia Lawrence 3, Peyton Kehr 1). Rebounds: UP 29, (Parker Esary 12), MSU-N 18, (Sydney Hovde 5). Fouls: UP 17, MSU-N 14. Fouled Out: None.