Lights open challenging Frontier Conference schedule

They only play two Frontier Conference games before the first of the year. But those two games are always big. And they will be now for the Montana State University-Northern Lights, who tip off league play Thursday night in Great Falls, before hosting mighty Carroll College Saturday night.

Northern brings a perfect 6-0 start to the 2022-23 Frontier season, and the Lights also have momentum after playing a very good exhibition game at the University of Montana last Tuesday.

"I really like how we have defended so far, and have shown some outstanding signs of bright spots offensively," MSU-N head coach Shawn Huse said. "We just need to keep working hard every day on both ends of the floor, and polishing up in all facets as the season rolls along."

The new-look Lights, led by the duo of Jesse Keltner, who averages 10 points and eight rebounds per game, as well as Tanner McCliment-Call, who hits on 11 points per night, are averaging 88 points per game, while only yielding 54 per outing. Newcomers Dae'Kown Watson, Zack Martinez and Myles Dalton, combined with Immanuel Anderson and C.J. Nelson also give the Lights a deep and balanced scoring attack.

But, as good as the Lights have played so far, things are about to get ratcheted up. The Frontier is going to be really tough this season.

"Both games this weekend present tough challenges for sure," Hues said. "For the most part, they have differing styles of play and personnel. We know we will have to be on point with our concentration and attention to detail, if we are going to  have more points than our opponents on the scoreboard, Thursday night and Saturday afternoon."

Thursday night's trip to Providence is a rivalry game for the Lights. The Argos are 5-3 so far this season, They average 80 points per game and allow 60. Under coach Steve Keller, the Argos get 16 points per game from Kenny Curtis, while Eric Milner and Jake Olson also average double digits as does returning starter Sam Vining.

And while Thursday night's trip to UP will be tough, Northern's conference home-opener will be even more of a challenge.

At 4-1, Carroll is ranked No. 16 in the NAIA, and the Fighting Saints have played top competition like Boise State, MSU-Billings and Morningside. Carroll is also a team that averages 76 points per game, and the Saints are one of the top rebounding teams in the NAIA. Sophomore guard Andrew Cook paces Carroll in scoring at 16 points per game, while senior Jonny Hillman averages 15 and senior forward Brendan Temple pours in 11 points and grabs seven rebounds per game.

And while it's early on, both games will be key as Northern tries to get league play off on the right foot.

"It will be good to get a taste of conference play," Huse said. "This is factual data and proof of what the Frontier is all about, which should help us focus in on areas needing improvement, as well as successful things we need to keep doing, as we then navigate through the rest of our non-conference play."

The Lights travel to Providence Thursday at 7 p.m. MSU-N plays Carroll at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Armory Gymnasium. Conference play will then resume in January.