Skylights win first conference game, Lights stumble at Tech

The Montana State University-Northern Skylights didn't just need a win, they wanted one in the worst way. And that's exactly what they got Saturday afternoon at HYPER in Butte.

The Skylights beat Montana Tech 70-63 Saturday in Butte. It was Northern's first Frontier Conference win this season.

"We needed this in a bad way," MSU-N head coach Chris Mouat said, "Our league is just so tough and we've been through a lot again this year with kids in and out of the lineup and us missing a lot of practice time. We played much better at both ends and our kids earned it.

"We really had to gut this one out," he added. "We were down 14 in the third quarter and had a great finish to the game. L'Tia was huge in the fourth quarter and scored all of her points in the fourth. She hit a couple of big threes and a bunch of free throws when we needed them. Having four kids in double figures was huge for us, and we did a great job on the boards for the better part of the game. Tech is a good team with a lot of talent, and I'm just proud of our kids for finding a way. Shyan had a breakout game for herself and hit some big shots and gave us a lift at both ends. We had to do a lot right down the stretch to win the game, and I'm just really proud of our kids."

The Orediggers took the lead early in the game 16-12 in the first quarter. They extended the lead to 12 points in the second half, but Northern was able to cut the lead to six going into halftime.

Montana Tech extended the lead back to 14 in the second half. The Skylights cut the lead to four going into the fourth quarter. The Skylights tied the game for the first time at the beginning of the fourth quarter. The score went back and forth until L'Tia Lawrence hit an and-one to push the lead to five with 1:31 left in the game. The Skylights hit key free throws to win the game.

The Skylights were led by Peyton Kehr, who had 20 points going 8-15 from the field. Lawrence had 15 points going 7-9 from the free throw line. Shyan Krass had her best game as a Skylight with 15 points going 7-7 from the field. Sydney Hovde led the team in rebounds with 10. The Skylights shot 49 percent from the field and 36 percent from the arc, and 63 percent from the free throw line. Montana Tech shot 39 percent for the game.

Northern is now 1-9 in the Frontier. The Skylights stay on the road to face Carroll College Thursday and Providence Saturday.

Diggers bury the Lights

Saturday afternoon wasn't as kind to the MSU-Northern men.

The Lights lost to Montana Tech 78-54 on Saturday in Butte. The score went back and forth, until the Orediggers went on a 10-0 run to finish the first half (33-24). Northern cut the lead to six. It wasn't long for Montana Tech to extend the lead for the rest of the game.

The Lights were led by Tanner McCliment-Call, who had 15 points going 6-12 from the field. Mascio McCadney had 12 points. C.J. Nelson added eight points. David Harris led the team in rebounds with nine.

The Orediggers were led by Caleb Bellach, who had 22 points going 9-17 from the field. Sindou Diallo added 12 points on the night. Derrius Collins led the team in rebounds with six.

Northern fell to 4-6 in the Frontier ahead of road games at Carroll College Thursday and Providence Saturday.

Diggers bury the Lights

Saturday afternoon wasn't as kind to the MSU-Northern men.

The Lights lost to Montana Tech 78-54 on Saturday in Butte. The score went back and forth, until the Orediggers went on a 10-0 run to finish the first half (33-24). Northern cut the lead to six. It wasn't long for Montana Tech to extend the lead for the rest of the game.

The Lights were led by Tanner McCliment-Call, who had 15 points going 6-12 from the field. Mascio McCadney had 12 points. CJ Nelson added eight points. David Harris led the team in rebounds with nine.

The Orediggers were led by Caleb Bellach, who had 22 points going 9-17 from the field. Sindou Diallo added 12 points on the night. Derrius Collins led the team in rebounds with six.

Northern fell to 4-6 in the Frontier ahead of road games at Carroll College Thursday and Providence Saturday.

Skylights 70, Montana Tech 63

MSU-Northern 12 16 17 25 - 70

Tech 16 18 15 14 - 63

MSU-N - Peyton Kehr 8-15 2-2 20, L'Tia Lawrence 3-8 7-9 15, Riley Kehr 5-13 1-2 11, Sydney Hovde 1-2 1p-2 3, Morgan Mason 1-4 0-0 2, Shyan Krass 7-7 1-2 15, Danielle Tyler 0-1 2-2 2. 26-63 14-22.

MT - Tavia Rooney 6-12 2-2 14, Mollie Peoples 4-10 0-0 12, Brooke Haggie 5-10 1-2 11, Dani Urick 2-10 4-4 9, Ally Cleverly 1-4 2-2 5, McLayle Kolker 2-5 0-0 4, Soda Rice 1-2 2-5 4, Aubrie Rdemacher 1-3 0-0 2. Totals: 23-59 11-15.

3-pointers: MSU-N 4-11 (P. Kehr 2, Lawrence 2), MT 6-16 (Peoples 4, Urick 1, Clevlerly 1). Rebounds: MSU-N 35 (Hovde 10), 25 (Rooney 7), Fouls: MSU-N 14, MT 21; Fouled out: None.

Montana Tech 73, Lights 54

MSU-N - Tanner Mccliment-Call 6-12 0-0 15, Mascio McCadney 5-18 1-2 12, CJ Nelson 3-11 0-0 8, David Harris 2-8 1-3 6, Immanuel Anderson 2-8 1-3 6, TJ Reynolds 1-2 0-0 3, Zyare Ruffin 1-3 0-0 3, Anthony Braggs Jr. 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 21-62 3-8.

MT - Caleb Bellach 9-17 0-0 22, Sindou Diallo 5-11 2-2 12, Drew Huse 4-0 1-3 9, Taylor England 3-4 2-4 8, Derrius Collins 2-5 0-0 4, Keeley Bake 2-4 0-0 6, Camdyn Lawrence 1-1 2-5 4, Cody Baumstock 1-3 1-4 3, Christian Jones 1-2 0-0 2, John Dhuoi 1-1 0-0 2, Bridger Larson 0-1 1-2 1. Totals: 29-58 9-20.

Halftime: Montana Tech 33-24. 3-pointers: MSU-N 9-24 (McCliment-Call 3, McCadney 1, Nelson 2, Harris 1, Reynolds 1, Ruffin 1), MT 6-14 (Bellach 4, Bake 2), Rebounds: MSU-N 35 (Harris 9), MT 35 (Collins 8), Fouls: MSU-N 14, MT 11; Fouled out: None.