All Northern teams in action this week

It’s that time of year. No, not Christmas yet. It’s the time when winter sports at Montana State University-Northern really start to heat up and this weekend is no exception.

The MSU-N men’s and women’s basketball teams will be home this Saturday for a pair of games against Concordia University of Edmonton. And though it seems late in the season for it, the games will be Northern’s Armory Gymnasium debut.

The Skylights will be up first Saturday, as head coach Chris Mouat’s team comes in with a 2-3 overall record, but the Skylights should be riding high after upsetting NCAA Division II Chaminade University in an exhibition game last Sunday in Honolulu. Northern has played plenty of tough games already this season, but the Skylights are really excited to finally get out on their home floor.

And Skylights won’t be done Saturday, either. They also host North Star Athletic Conference rival Valley City State Sunday at the Armory.

The Lights meanwhile, are just getting back to action after a long break. When Northern (5-2) takes the floor Saturday against Concordia, head coach Shawn Huse’s team will not only be playing at home for the first time this season, but, it will be the Lights’ first game since Nov. 11 when they beat Embry-Riddle in Helena. So, MSU-N, led by guards Zack Martinez, Myles Dalton and Dae’Kwon Watson, will be more than just a little excited to not only play at home, but be getting back to hoops after the long break.

The MSU-Northern wrestling team is also getting back to work, with a big weekend in Great Falls.

Head coach Tyson Thivierge’s team will take part in the Argo Duals Friday and the Battle for the Rockies Saturday.

The Lights are currently ranked No. 8 in the NAIA, and are coming off a strong showing at the Spokane Open, where they placed 10 wrestlers overall. Leading the charge for the Lights in Spokane was NaKoda Siegel won who at 174 pounds, as well as Justin Windauer, who took the title at 157. Carl Hansen took second at 197, and Austin Vanek and Cade Gubler shared third at 184. Devin Crawford also placed third at 165 pounds.

The Lights will wrestle duals Friday at Providence, then they will compete in the Battle for the Rockies Open Saturday.

The Northern women host Concordia Saturday at 5 p.m., with the men to follow, while the Skylights also face Valley City State Sunday at 4 p.m.