Skylights win in Helena

The Montana State University-Northern women's basketball team has had some stern challenges in the last three weeks. And, with Frontier Conference play beginning full time in just two weeks, that's a good thing.

So, with the No. 11 Skylights playing their final non-conference game of the season Monday night in Helena, a stern test is what the Skylights needed, and it's what they got.

Northern built a big first-half lead, then held off a hard-charging Willamette University squad Monday at the Carroll College P.E. Center, 56-49. The win pushed MSU-N to 10-2 on the season, while the Skylights are 1-1 in the Frontier.

Northern broke open a close game in the second quarter by outscoring Willamette 16-9, which gave the Skylights a 29-19 margin at intermission. However, Willamette came roaring back with 30 points in the second half, while the Skylights would need outstanding defense, key rebounding and free throws to hold on for the win. Northern out-rebounded 38-31, and held them to just 39 percent shooting on the night. The Skylights also got a sensational 30 points from Natalee Faupel, who dropped three 3-pointers and grabbed nine rebounds. Fellow senior Molly Kreycik added 11 in the close win.

Northern will now be off until a Jan. 5 road game at the University of Great Falls.

Skylights 56, Willamette 49

Northern 13 16 13 14 - 56

Willamette 10 9 17 13 - 49

MSU-N - Jacy Thompson 3-12 2-2 8, Katie Fertterer 0-3 2-2 2, Natalee Faupel 12-22 3-3 30, Peyton Filius 0-0 0-0 0, Molly Kreycik 4-7 1-2 11, Shiloh McCormick 0-2 0-0 0, Makhayla Farmer 0-0 0-0 0, Cydney Auzenne 0-3 2-4 2, Sierra Richards 1-7 1-1 3. Totals 20-56 11-14 56.

WU - Mary Eckenrode 1-5 2-2 4, Alex Wert 1-6 0-0 2, Drew Farmer 1-2 0-0 2, Sarah Heinly 0-1 0-0 0, Ashley Evans 1-8 0-0 3, Kylie Towry 3-6 0-0 6, Whitney Anderson 1-3 0-0 2, Madi Andresen 4-7 2-3 10, Marisa Hamilton 8-13 3-3 20. Totals 20-51 7-8 49.

3-pt FG:MSU-N 5-16 (Thompson 0-4, Fertterer 0-2, Faupel 3-4, Kreycik 2-4, McCormick 0-2), WU 2-11 (Eckenrode 0-2, Heinly 0-1, Evans 1-6, Towry 0-1, Hamilton 1-1). Rebounds: MSU-N 38 (Faupel 9), WU 31 (Wert 10). Fouls: MSU-N 10, WU16. Fouled out: none.