Skylights go to Washington

The Montana State University-Northern women's basketball team is on a streak they would like to forget.

And the Skylights will try and do that this weekend in Bellingham, Wash.

Northern has lost four straight games, all to Dakota Athletic Conference opponents, and things won't get any easier this weekend.

Tonight and Saturday, MSU-N is in Bellingham for a tournament hosted by Western Washington University. Northern's two games against NCAA Division II teams will not count towards their overall record, but they will certainly count towards how the Skylights go forward from here.

"I'm not disappointed in the way we've been playing," MSU-N head coach Chris Mouat said. "With the exception of the game at Dickinson State, we've been right there against some very good teams. We've had chances to win those games late in the second half, so I can't be disappointed with our effort or really how we're playing.

"But we also want to win these games," Mouat said. "And that's where we're at right now. We're trying to find ways to win these games instead of coming up just short."

Tonight the Skylights (3-5) will face St. Martins University in an exhibition game at 6. The Skylights will turn around and take on host Western Washington at 8 p.m. on Saturday night.

And while both teams are somewhat unfamiliar to Northern, Mouat expects both games to be a challenge

"Two solid NCAA Division II teams," he said. "We know we're going to have our hands full. But that's why we play the schedule we do. We want to be challenged. We know games like this will make us better and prepare us for the conference season."

The Skylights will be on the road again next weekend, with two NAIA games in Salt Lake City. MSU-N next plays at homeon Dec. 16 against UGF.