Lights close out 2023 with two wins

The Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team finished the non-conference portion of the schedule on a high note.

Last week, the Lights won twice at home, and head coach Shawn Huse' team heads into Frontier Conference play with some momentum.

Last Thursday night, the Lights beat Ambrose University by a score of 83-55 in Armory Gymnasium.

The Lights held the Lions to 18 points going into halftime (52-18). The Lights shot 53 percent from the field and 33 percent from the three in the first half. In the second half, Northern kept a good lead to finish the game.

The Lights were led by Zackry Martinez who went 10-13 from the field with 24 points. R.J. Ramone and Jacob Randall each added 13 points. Randall led the team in rebounds with 11. Xavier Bailey led the team in assists with eight.

  The Lions were led by Ty Schenk with 15 points going 50 percent from the field. Maththew Henry-Harris added 12 points going 5-7 from the field.

Northern was back in the Armory Saturday afternoon for the final game of 2023. The Lights beat Lakeland University in an exhibition game by a score of 72-64.

  Lakeland came out on fire in the first half going 9-16 from the three-point line and an incredible 54 percent from the field. The Lights hit some good shots in the first half going 44 percent from the field and 38 percent from the three.

The Rustlers took the lead going into halftime 44-33.

After halftime, the Lights come out going on a 16-2 run to take the lead by two. The game was anyone's to win, as the Lights took control at the end the game to get the win.

The Lights were led by Zackry Martinez who went 50 percent from the field with 23 points. R.J. Ramone added 16 points going 3-5 from the three-point line. Rogan Barnwell added 12 points, as Xavier Bailey added 10.

  The Rustlers were led by Asa Bray who went 6-12 from the field with 17 points. Andre McFadden added 16 points. Favour Ugbah added 12 points and led in rebounds with eight.

The Lights are now 8-5 heading into Frontier play. They open 2024 with a trip to Montana Western this Saturday in Dillon.