Lights sweep Phoenix Classic

The Montana State University-Northern Lights haven’t been pushed much in non-conference play so far this season. However, in two games this week, the Lights got pushed and then some.

And still, Northern managed to go to the Phoenix Classic and keep its perfect season going with three wins, including a Wednesday nail biter over William Jessup, a GSAC team which had already knocked off No. 1 Biola just a few weeks ago.

“We had to hang tough in the end but I was proud of how we played the entire game,” Northern head coach Shawn Huse said of the Lights 71-68 victory over William Jessup. “I believe we led all but a few minutes...and that's not an easy team to do that to. They are very athletic, have great shooters and good size. We were excited to get this one, we had great bench energy, and had great bench play once again.”

Northern beat William Jessup with hard-nosed defense and timely shooting. The Lights made five of their seven 3-pointers in the first 20 minutes and led 36-33 at halftime. The game remained close throughout, but the Lights knocked down 13-of-16 free throws in the second half to hold on to the big win over a traditional GSAC power. Balance was also key as David Straughter and Cameron Epps paced the Lights’ attack with 10 points each. But, six more Lights added six points or more, while Northern shot a solid 50 percent from the floor.

The win over William Jessup wasn’t the only big victory over an NAIA team for the Lights in Phoenix either. Monday night, Northern exploded for 50 points in the second half against Cascade Conference stalwart Warner-Pacific on its way to an 86-71 win. The game was tied 36-36 at the half, but the Lights buried eight 3-pointers in the second half and outscored the Knights 50-35.

In the paint, Ryan Reeves had a big game with 17 points and nine rebounds, but again, the Lights were balanced. Epps added 11 points and three triples, while Tyler Chandler also drilled three treys and he and Justin Dunsmore combined for 18 more points. Dylan Tatarka, Badhasa Margarsa, and Devin Bray also knocked down threes for the Lights.

“I am very proud of the guys as it seems like Warner-Pacific always ends up a national tournament team and conference champ or contender,” Huse said. “Tonight was another total team effort. We defended well, shared the ball, and knocked down shots, all huge facets of the game as everyone knows.”

While MSU-N got two good battles in Phoenix, the middle game of the tourney was anything but.

Tuesday morning, the Lights throttled Diné College 117-27. It was the fifth time the Lights scored over 100 points this season, as they put up 68 points in the first half and went 17-of-36 from the 3-point-line.

Every Light on the roster got into the box score against Diné with Margarsa and Adam Huse each scoring 13, while Charles Porter, William Walker and Chandler each scored 12. Chandler made four triples, while Kevin Oberweiser and Huse each knocked in three.

The Phoenix trip pushed Northern to one of its best starts of the Huse era as the Lights are 11-0 with three non-conference games left. MSU-N will travel to Lethbridge next Wednesday before coming back to the Armory to host Augustana-Alberta for games Dec. 29-30. The Lights then start Frontier Conference play for good Jan. 5 at UGF and Jan. 7 at Carroll College.

Lights 86, Warner Pacific 71

MSU-N – Ryan Reeves 8-8 1-2 17, Tyler Chandler 3-9 0-0 9, David Straughter 2-10 3-4 7, Dylan Tatarka 2-2 0-0 6, Badhasa Margarsa 2-3 0-0 5, Cameron Epps 4-9 0-0 11, Justin Dunsmore 3-7 2-2 9, Charles Porter 3-5 2-4 8, Devin Bray 1-4 3-3 6, William Walker 3-3 0-0 6, Kevin Oberweiser 1-5 0-0 2, Adam Huse 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 32-67 11-15 71.

Halftime: 36-26. 3-pointers: 11-30 (Chandler 3, Tatarka 2, Margarsa 1, Epps 3, Dunsmore 1, Bray 1). Rebounds: 35 (Reeves 9). Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None.

Lights 117, Dine' 27

MSU-N – David Straughter 3-3 0-0 6, Ryan Reeves 4-4 0-0 8, Badhasa Margarsa 4-7 3-3 13, Dylan Tatarka 3-7 0-0 7, Tyler Chandler 4-6 0-0 12, Cameron Epps 3-5 0-0 7, Adam Huse 4-6 2-2 13, Kevin Oberweiser 3-6 0-0 9, Devin Bray 2-3 0-0 6, Justin Dunsmore 4-9 0-0 9, Charles Porter 6-8 0-0 12, William Walker 5-5 2-3 12, Seth Christiaens 1-3 1-4, 3. Totals: 46-72 8-12 117.

Halftime: Northern 68-11. 3-pointers 17-36 (Margarsa 2, Tatarka 1, Chandler 4, Epps 1, Huse 3, Oberweiser 3, Bray 2, Dunsmore 1). Rebounds: 53 (Dunsmore 9, Christiaens 9). Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.

Lights 71, William Jessup 68

MSU-N - Kevin Oberweiser 1-3 0-0 3, Dylan Tatarka 1-4 0-2 2, Seth Christiaens 0-0 0-0 0, Ryan Reeves 2-2 0-1 4, William Walker 4-6 0-0 8, Tyler Chandler 2-3 0-0 6, Justin Dunsmore 2-4 1-4 6, David Straughter 3-8 4-5 10, Badhasa Margarsa 2-7 5-6 9, Charles Porter 3-5 0-1 7, Devin Bray 1-3 4-4 6, Adam Huse 0-0 0-0 0, Cameron Epps 3-5 2-3 10. Totals 24-50 16-26 71.

Halftime: Northern 36-33. 3-pt FG: MSU-N 7-19 (Oberweiser 1-2, Tatarka 0-2, Chandler 2-3, Dunsmore 1-1, Straughter 0-2, Margarsa 0-3, Porter 1-1, Bray 0-2, Epps 2-3). Rebounds: MSU-N 33 (TEAM 6, Straughter 6). Fouls; William Jessup (Calif.) 24, MSU-N Fouled out: Lewis.