Frontier Time in the Armory: Skylights brace for talented Argos, Saints

To say the Frontier Conference is really good when it comes to women's basketball would be a gross understatement. In actuality, it's the best and deepest conference in all of NAIA Division I. And that's what makes the Montana State University-Northern Skylights' first two league games of 2016 so difficult, and so intriguing.

The second-ranked Skylights have racked up a 12-1 overall record and are 1-1 in league play. They are riding high and full of confidence, but, a gauntlet awaits them inside the Armory Gymnasium. Tonight, Northern takes on arch rival UGF (10-4, 1-1), which has been ranked earlier this season, and just 24 hours later, MSU-N will play in the NAIA Game of the Week when the Skylights welcome in fifth-ranked Carroll College (12-1, 2-1).

"Playing UGF and Carroll back-to-back is a heck of a way to start conference play," MSU-N head coach Chris Mouat lamented. "It's going to be a huge challenge. They are both really good, both have the weapons to make a deep run in the national tournament this year, and both are very well coached and always really prepared.

"But, I like our team too," he continued. "We feel good about where we're at right now, and we've been preparing very hard for these two really good teams. And fortunately for us, we're playing both of them at home."

Both games are big rivalry games for the Skylights, and, because of how good UGF has become in recent years, games don't get much bigger than tonight's showdown between the Skylights and Argos.

Like Northern, UGF went all the way to the NAIA Elite 8 last season, and like Northern, which is led by star guards Natalee Faupel (13 ppg), Jacy Thompson (16 ppg) and Rachelle Bennett (10 ppg), the Argos have plenty of firepower back. In fact, all five UGF starters averaging in double figures, and junior forward Nneka Nnadi (5-10) is leading the league in scoring 19 points per game, though, she isn't even the most explosive player on her team. That moniker belongs to Erin Legel (5-5), who has led the Frontier in scoring the last two years, and is a two-time NAIA All-American.

"What really jumps out at me is the fact that all five of their starters average double figures," Mouat said. "We know and have seen for four years that Erin Legel is as good as it gets in our league. She is the real deal. And she's not even leading them in scoring. They (Argos) have so many weapons, and can put big, big points on the board. Nneka (Nnadi) has blossomed into a tremendous player, and it feels like Stephanie McDonagh has been there forever already. They just have all the pieces in place. They are a dangerous offensive team, and they can really hurt you on the offensive end. They will make you pay for any defensive lapses or mistakes you make. So, our focus is going to be have to be very good on the defensive end."

Thankfully, the Skylights are very good defensively, as they allow just 50 points per game, which, once again is tops in the Frontier. But, as Mouat said, UGF has weapons all over the floor, including newcomers like 6-4 Whitney George, who is leading the league in rebounding and blocked shots, as well as small forward Morgan Greir (5-8).

And while the Skylights will counter with the likes of junior point guard Molly Kreycik, and newcomers in the post in Sierra Richards and Jessica Anderson, Mouat knows tonight's game will be a tough first salvo in the long-standing rivalry with the Argos.

"UGF has a very seasoned group," Mouat said. "They know how to win. They are talented, athletic and explosive. Bill (Himmelberg) has done such a great job with that program. He has made them more than relevant in our league, and they are going to be a handful for us Thursday night."

Speaking of handfuls, things won't get any easier, and, perhaps will get even more difficult when the Fighting Saints come into the Armory Friday night.

Carroll has skyrocketed up the rankings this season, and though Northern has had their number in recent years, this is a different Saints' squad, and one that Mouat said will give his Skylights, and everybody else in the Frontier all they can handle.

"Carroll has all the pieces, they are just a very, very complete team," Mouat said. "They are really well-coached. They always have a great game plan, and they execute extremely well on both ends of the floor. Complete is just the word that keeps coming to my mind when I think about them.

"They are big and deep in the post," he continued. "They are phenomenal on the boards. But, as good as they are in the paint, they have a bunch of perimeter kids who can really knock it down. Katie Estey (5-6) is the engine for them, but guards like Kacie McKeon (5-5), Brittany Johnson (5-7) and a bunch of others can really shoot it too. And when they get hot, I'm not sure anyone in the country can really guard them."

Carroll does have a plethora of guards, but they do indeed make the most hay on the block. Sophomore Cassidy Hashley (6-2) is a double-double waiting to happen every night, and she has plenty of help with Baylee Watson (6-2), Hannah Dean (6-1), Mikaela Dowdy (6-1) and Jordan Johnston (5-10). And, Carroll's bigs do it on both ends. The Saints lead the Frontier in rebounding margin and total rebounding, while they also surrender just 54 points per night.

And while Carroll Friday night will be as tough as it gets for the Skylights, and, in reality, both games will be a tall order for Northern, the Skylights are also very good, and they're ranked No. 2 in the NAIA for a reason. And, these two home games are games the Skylights are certainly looking forward to.

"These games will be a huge challenge," Mouat said. "But, we are very excited to be at home for them, in front of our great fans. And we have a lot of leadership back of last year's teams, we have a lot of kids who know what it takes to play in our league, and we'll lean on that this weekend, and going forward."

Tonight's game between the Skylights and Argos tips at 6 inside the Armory Gymnasium. The NAIA showdown between Northern and Carroll also tips at 6 p.m. Friday night.