Lights, Skylights win hoops openers

The Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team began 2024-25 with a bang.

Opening their season against a powerful Embry-Riddle team last Saturday, Northern edged the Eagles 74-67 for a season-opening win.

Head coach Shawn Huse' team went on an 8-0 run to start the game. The Lights pushed the lead to double-digits in the first half. The Eagles went on to cut the lead to six going into halftime, 35-29.

Northern took the lead by double figures again, but Embry-Riddle didn't quit as they cut the lead to four. But the Lights were able to hold on to take the game in Billings.

The Lights were led by Cinque Maxwell who had 17 points going 6-9 from the field. Leon Sayers IV went 7-8 from the field with 15 points and seven rebounds. Jack Reardon added 14 points going 50 percent from the field.

The Lights then made their home debut on Monday night, but, they fell to Bushnell University 66-61. Maxwell led the Lights in the tough loss with 16 points.

On Friday night, the MSU-Northern women's basketball team was successful in its season-opener. The Skylights took care of Park University Gilbert of Arizona, 94-71 in Billings.

Four Skylights finished in double figures led by Taya Trottier with 20 points. She also recorded five assists and seven rebounds. Becky Melcher had 16 points and a 5-of-7 night from beyond the arc. Katelynn Forner fell just short of a triple-double having 10 steals, 10 assists, and nine points. As a team, Northern shot 53 percent from the field and 33 percent from the arc. They were 57 percent from the free throw line.

The Skylights head to Great Falls for games against The Master and Jamestown College this weekend. The Lights meanwhile, are in Helena to face Southern Oregon and Eastern Oregon this weekend.