By Rob Everingham
LEWISTON, Idaho Three games in five days with one of the season's longest road trips sandwiched in would leave any team in a dizzy.
Throw in playing the No. 4 team in the nation.
This is just what the MSU-Northern Skylights are in the midst of, with Northern falling to nationally-ranked Lewis-Clark State on Saturday night, 101-63.
Skylights head coach Ray Peters said the score is very deceiving of what type of a game it was. Northern had three players with four fouls in the first half.
"We were in it in the first half," Peters said.
The Warriors of L-C led 41-32 at the break.
Peters said L-C went on a quick run as the first half came to a close after the Skylights were called for a lane violation on the front end of a one and one free throw situation.
Skylights' leading scorer Jana Smith only played about seven minutes in the game before fouling out. Also fouling out for the Skylights were Kristine Noel and Brianna Dunn, who are both key players in the Northern offense.
Peters said they played well at times, but had too many turnovers and they just needed to play stronger in what was a very physical game.
With all the foul trouble, Peters said, both Jackie Rasnick and Jennifer Young played very well. Peters felt his team did a good job against a team that has a legitimate shot at the NAIA National title.
The next goal with the Warriors for Peters and his squad is to get one more crack at them and that will come only if the two meet in the championship game of the Frontier Conference.
The game will most likely be held in Lewiston on the floor of the unbeaten Warriors.
Step No. 1 for the Skylights is to rebound off the loss as they play Montana Tech tonight at the MSU-Northern Gym. The game is the only home televised game for the Skylights.
"We control our own destiny," Peters said.
The game is not going to be easy with it being the third in five days. Peters said his team has played three games in five days at tournament, but not with a long road trip sandwiched between home games.
However, the Skylights are playing well and shooting the ball well at home this year.
The Orediggers bring in a very sound defensive team. Tech is also coming off two big wins against Rocky Mountain and Westminster.
Both the Skylights and Orediggers are looking to claim and hold on to the No. 2 spot in the conference as they reach the middle of the second half of the season.
"We're battling for seeding," Peters said. "It will be a great game."
The game will be televised in Havre on cable Channel 19 and in Chinook on Channel 16.
