Lights play tough teams at home to wrap up 2022

You may not have heard of the two teams the Montana State University-Northern's men's basketball team are about to play. But you'll want to see the games because the Lights' final two non-conference games of the season will be good ones.

Northern welcomes in Keyano University of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Thursday night and St. Mary's of Canada Friday night. The two-game stretch in the Armory Gymnasium will close out non-conference play for the Lights, who are currently 10-3 overall as the new year approaches.

"Tough games once again this week," Northern head coach Shawn Huse said. "These are quality conference-like opponents that we will need to be prepped and ready for. They have beaten quality Universities in Canada this year and put up a great deal of points night in and night out."

Indeed. Keyano is one of the top teams in the CIS, the top level of college basketball in Canada. The Huskies bring a perfect 12-0 mark to Havre, having beaten the likes of The King's University, Olds College and the University of Saskatchewan already this year. The Huskies average 90 points per game on offense, and shoot better than 40 percent from the 3-point-line.

"Keyano returns their leadership and experience from their championship team last year," Huse said. "And they have added size and scoring to an already-seasoned group. It will take a solid defensive effort, and we will need to be sharp on offense, to have success this weekend."

St. Mary's will be another strong opponent as Northern preps for league play, and that's the goal. The Lights are currently 1-1 in the Frontier and have been knocking on the door of a Top 25 ranking all season long.

"I like how we're playing," Huse said. "We knew it would take time, but this team has great chemistry, they really are unselfish and they play together."

MSU-N has been good offensively, averaging 81 points per game, while shooting 46 percent from the field and 36 percent from three. Senior Jesse Keltner has led the way, getting 12 points and seven rebounds per night. The Lights are very balanced, though, as they also get 11 points from Tanner McCliment-Call off the bench, as well as between nine and seven points from C.J. Nelson, Dae'Kwon Watson, Zackry Martinez, Myles Dalton and Immanuel Anderson.

Northern starts the final two games of non-conference play with Thursday night's game against Keyano at 7:30 p.m. The Lights also host St. Mary's College Friday at 7:30 p.m. MSU-N then returns to Frontier play with home games against Rocky Mountain College next Thursday and Montana Western next Saturday.