ARMORY NIGHTS: Lights hope to rebound against Diggers, Warriors

With two close losses last weekend, the Montana State University-Northern Lights aren't panicking. But, they are certainly in a bit of a hole in the Frontier Conference standings.

Fortunately for the Lights (1-3, 12-4), they can do something about that this weekend. Northern is home to host struggling Montana Tech (0-5, 5-12) tonight before battling nationally ranked Lewis-Clark State (4-1, 16-1) on Saturday night. The two games are the middle two of a six-game Frontier Conference home stand for the Lights inside the Armory Gymnasium.

"This team won't panic," Northern head coach Shawn Huse said following last Friday's loss to Carroll College. "They know they can play with anybody. They have proven that to themselves already. So we just have to go back to work and get ready for the next games."

The next game is tonight's showdown with Montana Tech. The Orediggers have struggled this season, and are still adjusting to life without four-time All-Conference standout and two-time All-American Adam Greger, who started nearly every game in his Tech career.

And with the loss of Greger, Tech has been in a bit of a funk offensively this season. Tech averages 77 points per game, but the Diggers are shooting just 41 percent from the field in conference games. On the other end, the Diggers' are usually known for a stifling defense, but thus far, they are giving up a league-worst 83 points per night.

Still, Tech has talent, and has played some very close games this season. Offensively, the Orediggers will turn to veteran Paul Engstrom (6-7) for leadership, while Jalen Coates (5-9, 18 ppg) and Cruz Ginns Jr. (6-5) are supplying the Orediggers with some newfound firepower.

"They (Orediggers) have had a very tough non-league (and league) schedule thus far," Huse, a former Tech All-American said. "Tech has added some very good personnel to go around key pieces returning from last year's team.  Just as is the case with every Frontier opponent, it will take a solid effort to slow them down on their end, and to score on ours."

Scoring has been a bit of a roller coaster for the Lights of late. They come in averaging 82 points per game, led by a balanced attack that includes 12 points a game each from Warren Edmondson and Tyler Chandler, as well as 10 each from Trevail Lee and David Straughter and another eight from KJ Rech. But, in their last two games, the Lights have really struggled to shoot the ball, and while their defense is still one of the best in the Frontier, they need to get more consistent on the offensive end.

And Northern will need to be especially consistent when No. 5 Lewis-Clark State comes calling on Saturday night.

The Warriors are the defending Frontier champions and are off to an incredible start this season. They average a whopping 98 points per game, while only allowing a Frontier best 65 per night. And, they are loaded with talent, with four players in double figures and seven players who score eight or more points.

"They (Warriors) return, and have added, a good deal of athleticism and size to an already talented group," Huse said. "Their potential is very high this year and we need to be on our toes if we want to slow them down. They have the ability to rack up points on the scoreboard at a rapid pace."

Indeed. LC is as good as it gets at just about every position. Led by All-Conference forward Jacob Wiley (6-7), who averages 16 points and seven rebounds per game, as well as 6-5 guard Nick Emerson (14 ppg), and returning guards Cammie Lewis (5-11) and Rich Tesmer (6-2), as well as one of the deepest supporting casts in the Frontier, it's easy to see why the Warriors were picked to win the league again this season.

Still, as good as the Warriors are, and as pesky as the Orediggers will be, the Lights are at home, and defending their home court is always a huge priority. Northern also has the past experience to know it can compete with anybody in its way, and with the middle of the Frontier season here already, the Lights will be out to prove that fact this weekend.

"These are two more really good Frontier teams we are playing," Huse said. "At the same time, we know what we are capable of as well and have had a good week of practice thus far. I really feel our guys are hungry to get back on the court after a semi-torturous two nights last weekend."

Tonight's game between Northern and Montana Tech will tip at 8 inside the Armory Gymnasium. Saturday night's game between the Lights and Warriors will also start at 8 p.m. The Lights are also home next weekend to host Rocky Mountain College and the UM-Western Bulldogs.

Lights Projected Starters

G Trevail Lee, 5-9, Sr., 10 ppg

G Warren Edmondson, 6-2, Sr., 12 ppg

G Dylan Tatarka, 6-3, So., 5 ppg

F David Straughter, 6-5, Jr., 10 ppg

F K.J. Rech, 6-6, Sr., 9 ppg