Lights excited for first Frontier battles

With the way the Frontier Conference basketball schedule works, the Montana State University-Northern Lights must now shift gears in a hurry. That's because the Lights are about to go from playing non-conference games against the likes of Salish Kootenai College to battling a pair of bitter Frontier rivals.

Though it's only December, the Lights (5-2) open Frontier play tonight when they host the Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears. Things get even tougher when the No. 12 Carroll College Fighting Saints come to Havre Saturday night. Both games tip at 8 p.m. inside the Armory Gymnasium.

"It's a very challenging way to get league play started," Northern head coach Shawn Huse said.

Challenging for all parties involved.

Northern, which was picked to finish fourth in the Frontier this season, is coming off a record-setting offensive performance last weekend in which the Lights blew out both Salish and NAIA foe Valley City State. Offensively, the Lights are averaging 98 points per game, and have six players averaging double figures, led by 6-10 center Ryan Reeves, who scores 18 points, grabs 9 rebounds and blocks three shots per contest. Justin Dunsmore and Gabe Porter are each chipping in 15 points per night, while Adama Huse averages 13, Caulin Bakalarski scores 11 and Charles Porter added 10. The Lights are also shooting a sizzling 44 percent from the 3-point-line, and, defensively, they allow just 68 points per game, which is second-best among Frontier teams.

So, there's no question, Northern will be a stern test for both the Bears and Saints.

"I like how we've played in the games that have led up to this," Huse said. "We felt like we let a couple get away from us in Oregon, but I thought we still played well in those games. And we responded really well to those losses. I think our poise and focus is something that's been really good this season."

Of course, Northern faces a completely different set of challenges this weekend.

Rocky (6-1) comes to Havre with a potent offensive attack (99 ppg), and just one loss on its resume. The Bears also have the top defensive team in the Frontier currently, as they allow just 66 points per night. The Bears are paced by newcomoers Austin Payne (6-5) and Jared Samuelson (6-7), who combine to average 30 points and 10 rebounds per game. Samuelson is a transfer from the University of Montana. Point guard Chad Kananan is another threat, and like Northern, the Bears are a 3-point shooting team.

And then there's Carroll. The Fighting Saints went deep into the NAIA national tournament a year ago, and they look even better this season. They are 6-0 on the year, and in an exhibition game Monday night in Missoula, they gave the Montana Grizzlies all they could handle.

The Saints return four starters from last year's squad, led by senior Ryan Imhoff (6-6), who averages 18 points and six rebounds per night. Imhoff is considered one of the top players in all of the NAIA, but he gets a lot of help from his friends too. Veterans Matt Wyman (6-7) and Match Burnham (6-8) combine to average 29 points per game, and are matchup nightmares, while former Havre Blue Pony Dane Warp (6-4), though slowed by injury, has gotten off to an outstanding start in his sophomore season, averaging 11 ppg. Another veteran in the post, Oliver Carr (6-6), while Lorel Johnson (6-2) leads a deep and talented Carroll bench.

"Both of these teams are very well-rounded, return experience and have added some key ingredients," Huse said. "It's going to be very challenging."

Indeed. But, Northern believes it's up to the challenge. The Lights have shown plenty thus far in non-conference play, not only in scoring and defense, but in team chemistry. The Lights new-look team has gelled together quickly, and while both Rocky and Carroll will be extremely tough opponents to open conference play against, the Lights are feeling confident coming into the opening stretch of league play.

"We are excited about what we are capable of," Huse said. "And it will be nice to be at home for this early conference weekend, after having started on the road the past few years."

The Lights meet Rocky tonight at 8 in the Armory. The game against Carroll is also scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday. Northern returns to non-conference play with a home game against Yellowstone Christian next Thursday night.

Lights vs RMC, tonight, 8 p.m.; vs No. 12 Carroll College, Saturday, 8 p.m.

In Armory Gymnasium

Radio: 92.5 KPQX

Streaming: msun.edu/athletics

Twitter: HavreDaily

Lights Projected Starters

G Gabe Porter 6-1, JR 15 ppg

G Devin Bray 5-11 SO 9 ppg

F Charles Porter 6-2 SR 10 ppg

F Justin Dunsmore 6-6 JR 15 ppg

C Ryan Reeves 6-10 SR 18 ppg