Frontier Notebook: Providence women off to a red-hot start

The Montana State University-Northern Skylights already know just how good the University of Providence Argos are. It was only two weeks ago that the Skylights lost a tough game to the Argos in the Armory Gymnasium.

Now however, the entire Frontier Conference is finding out just how dangerous the Argos have become. And the Argos are doing it just one year removed from one of the most disasterous seasons in the program's recent history.

The Argos came into the 2016-17 season fresh off back-to-back trips to the NAIA national Tournament, and with a talented roster, including all-time leading scorer Erin Legel. But something just didn't work a year ago, and the Argos managed just one win in Frontier play.

Fast forward one year, and heading into Wednesday night's rematch with the Skylights in Great Falls, the Argos are 5-1 in the Frontier, tied for first place, and are back in the NAIA Top 25. The Argos are also riding a five-game winning streak, including a 73-56 thrashing of Lewis-Clark State last Saturday night in Idaho, and they have the Frontier's leading scorer in Steph McDonagh, as well as a host of talented players, including senior Molly Herron, the former Big Sandy prep star, who's really stepped up her game this season.

Yes, it's certainly back to good times in Great Falls, and whether it's the change from UGF to Providence, or something else, the Argos are on their way to producing one of the biggest turnarounds in Frontier Conference history.

"They're playing as well as anyone in our league right now," Northern head coach Chris Mouat said. "Maybe as well as anybody in the country for that matter. They're very, very good."

Mouat and the Skylights know that and so does the rest of the Frontier. The Skylights and the Lights will play at Providence Wednesday night. The games will be televised on SWX, the second straight week in which Northern is part of the SWX Whalen Tire Game of the Week

Tough Road

Speaking of the Lights, they found out just how tough life on the road in the Frontier is right now, with losses at LC State and UM-Western this past weekend. But Northern isn't alone either.

Providence and Montana Tech have yet to win a road game in Frontier play, and two weeks ago, both Western and LC State suffered losses on the road as well. Rocky Mountain College did find a way to win on the road last week at Carroll College, handing the Saints their second straight home loss. But overall, the home team has been winning at a pretty good clip so far in league play on the men's side. And that's something that's making the Frontier a very wide-open race.

The Lights are in the midst of a five-game road trip that culminates with Wednesday night's game at Providence. The Lights handled the Argos two weeks in Havre and will be favored to win in the McLaughlin Center this week. But after having the halftime lead at both LC State last Thursday night and at Western Saturday and still coming up short, the Lights know just how difficult it is to win in the Frontier away from home.

Frontier Honors

RMC's Jared Samuelson was named the Frontier Conference Men's Player of the Week. Samuelson is a 6-7 sophomore from Billings. Rocky was 2-0 for the weekend. On the road, the Bears beat No. 2 Carroll College 59-54 and at home, downed Montana Tech 65-55.

Samuelson averaged 19 points, 9.5 rebounds and two assists. He was 12 of 23 from the field (52 percent) and was 14 for 15 from the free throw line. MSU-N's Ryan Reeves was also nominated.

Providence' Parker Esary was named the Frontier Women's Player of the Week. Esary is a 6-1 freshman forward from Kalama, Washington. The Lady Argos scored road upsets over two top-10 teams. Providence beat No. 10 Montana Western 53-39 and No. 7 Lewis-Clark State 73-56.

For the weekend, Esary averaged 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, one block and 1.5 steals. She was 13 of 19 (68 percent) from the field and 3 of 5 from the free throw line.