Lights battle Bears in Armory playoff game

One thing about the Frontier Conference playoffs, teams know each other well by now. And that will certainly be the case when the Montana State University-Northern Lights host the Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears in a first-round playoff game.

The Lights (18-12) meet the Bears (11-16) for the fourth time this season, but this time, with the season on the line. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight in the Armory Gymnasium, and longtime Northern head coach Shawn Huse said his team will be ready to go on their home floor.

"I am extremely proud of our guys for earning a first-round home game. We have not had a perfect season, but as tough as the league is right now and considering what we have gone through with injury and some sickness, that is definitely a big accomplishment. Our group brings it every week in terms of preparation, positive attitude, and work ethic. They are a pleasure to coach even when the shots don't fall, and even when some decision-making on the court is not what we would love to see."

The Lights will bring it, especially considering that even if the Lights prevail, tonight's game will likely be the last in the Armory for stars Mascio McCadney and David Harris, who together, combine to score over 37 points per game. Junior Jesse Keltner, who has been battling injuries, will also play key role in tonight's affair, as will Immanuel Anderson, who has really come on strong as of late.

On the other end of the floor, the Lights are very familiar with the Bears, of head coach Bill Dreikosen. Northern is 2-1 against RMC this season, but the Bears did win on MSU-N's home floor last month, and with standouts like Jesse Owens, Beau Santistevan and Maxim Stephens, Rocky will print plenty of challenges for the Lights, who are once again trying to reach yet another Frontier semifinal under Huse.

"In terms of Frontier opponents, there is no perfect first-round matchup in our conference, other than 'Bye University,'" Huse said. "Rocky is certainly a formidable challenge and we know that. At the same time, our guys are hungry and excited to take them on and to do everything we can to advance in the playoffs."

The winner of tonight's game will advance to Friday's semifinal and play at either top-seeded Carroll College or No. 2 seed Montana Tech. The other first-round game tonight will be in Dillon, where third-seeded Montana Western is hosting sixth-seeded Providence.

Tonight's game between Northern and Rocky will tip at 7 in the Armory Gymnasium.