Northern basketball welcomes arch rival Argos

The Montana State University-Northern men's and women's basketball teams finally have some momentum.

And tonight in the Armory Gymnasium, the Lights and Skylights will try to capitalize on it when they host the University of Providence Argos.

First up will be the Skylights (2-1, 8-8). Head coach Chris Mouat's team has captured two straight Frontier Conference wins, including a last-second victory over nationally ranked Rocky Mountain College in Billings.

Northern comes into tonight's game playing great defense, as the Skylights are allowing just over 53 points per game in conference play.

On the other end, MSU-N is getting a balanced attack, as the likes of Taya Trottier on the outside, and Shyan Krass on the inside, have really stepped up, while Rachel Van Blaricom, Jalen Callander and Ryley Kehr have been as reliable as ever.

But as well as the Skylights are playing, Mouat's team will have its hands full this entire week.

The Argos come to Havre ranked No. 16 in the NAIA and 2-1 in the Frontier after back-to-back wins over Rocky and Montana Western. The Argos are flush with offensive talent, too. Led by Keanna Salave'a, Maddy Dixon and point guard Ashlee Maldonado.

And if tonight's game wasn't hard enough, the Skylights have to travel to No. 5 Carroll Saturday, where they'll be up against one of the best teams in all of NAIA, not just the Frontier Conference. 

The Northern men meanwhile, have the same schedule.

Coming off a huge win at nationally ranked Rocky last Saturday, the Lights (1-2, 9-7) hope they're back on track, though the season-ending injury to Myles Dalton will continue to be a tough one. Still, DaeKwon Watson, Zack Martinez and Xavier Bailey, as well as a budding inside presence, will look to help bolster the Lights through a tough Frontier schedule.

And that tough schedule includes tonight's game against the Argos (1-2, 8-8). UP beat Montana Western last Saturday getting 30 points from Davien Harris-Willliams in the process. Veterans Sam Vining and Jake Olsen are also standouts for the offensive-minded Argos.

Tonight's game will also be big as the Lights look to hold serve at home before heading to Carroll College Saturday.

Tonight's game between the Lights and Argos will tip at 7 inside the Armory Gymnasium. First up, though, will be the women's game between MSU-N and UP, starting at 5.