BIG GAME IN THE ARMORY

A Tuesday morning road game at the University of Montana was only the beginning. Now, the real fun begins for the Montana State University-Northern Skylights.

Tonight, inside the Armory Gymnasium, the Skylights welcome in one of the highest-ranked NAIA teams they've had come to Havre in quite some time in the No. 10 Vanguard University Lions.

Tonight's game will not only be a huge challenge for Northern (1-0), but also a big measuring stick for where the Skylights are, and where they need to go. Of course, Northern head coach Chris Mouat always likes to challenge his teams with tough non-conference games early in the season, and what better challenge than to bring in one of the NAIA's elite programs.

"Year in and year out, they are one of the best teams out there, and this year is no different," Mouat said of the Lions.

And it's true. Vanguard, which is actually opening its season tonight in Havre, then traveling to take on University of Providence Friday in Great Falls, is always at or near the top of the NAIA women's game.

Under head coach Russ Davis, the Lions have won an NAIA national title, had five Final Four and 11 Elite 8 appearances, as well as 12 GNAC championships. In other words, the Lions are one of the standards NAIA teams are measured by, and this Vanguard squad will stand on its own as well.

"Vanguard is currently ranked 10th in the country, and they return a ton of good players," Mouat said. "Plus, they are coached by Russ Davis, a legend and already an NAIA Hall of Famer. They have been a top-tier program for over 20 years now, and he's a big reason for that."

Talented players like Victoria Chea (5-4) and Sierra Vaglica (5-6) will present plenty of problems for a Northern squad, which return home from an exhibition game loss at the University of Montana Tuesday. So, the Skylights are playing just their second official game of the season.

"They (Lions) can play a lot of different styles successfully, and are known for their half-court zone defense," Mouat said. "They really execute well offensively, and do a great job in their half-court offense. Our fans will get to see some really good players come to Havre, and for us to compete with a team like Vanguard, we will have to be sharp at both ends for a full 40 minutes. With two returning All-Americans on their roster and a ton of talent around them, our hands our definitely full."

The Skylights, though, have good players, too. Juniors Peyton Kehr and Sydney Hovde have become a great, inside-out combo, while fellow junior Tiara Gilham as well as senior Hailey Nicholson are healthy and finally able to play at a high level. New point guard McKenzie Gunter has also had an immediate impact for the Skylights, while sophomore Allix Goldhahn and newcomer Kenya Lorton are giving the Skylights some dangerous 3-point shooting.

And the Skylights will certainly need all hands on deck, because tonight's game against Vanguard isn't the only challenge they face.

Friday night, Northern will host Dickinson State (2-0) in an annual rivalry game. The Blue Hawks, which boast former Havre Blue Ponies Danielle Wallace and Kyley Verploegen, as well as former Cut Bank star Dakota Dosch, are a much-improved team this season and will be coming to Havre to give the Skylights all they can handle.

"Dickinson State has a lot of players we are familiar with because we've played them a lot over the years," Mouat said. "They do have a new coach and he has them playing with a ton of energy. They added a few new players to their roster who are dynamic and can really play, and their returners provide them a strong base. With this game being the third game for our team in four days, we will get to see exactly where we are at as far as conditioning and depth. We know it will be a great battle as it always is any time we face Dickinson State."

For tonight, though, the Skylights are focused on Vanguard. The two teams do have a history, as Vanguard ended Northern's magical 2016 season in the NAIA Sweet 16 in Billings. That night was a tough loss for the program, and though the Lions present all kinds of challenges again this evening, Mouat said, it's not only exciting to have a team of the Lions' caliber come to the Armory, but it will be huge for his team moving forward.

"It's huge to have a home game against a team like Vanguard," Mouat said. "It's big for our program.

"They played at NCAA Division I Cal Sunday night and played well," he added. "This is another game that can help us get ready for the rigors of the Frontier."

Tonight's game between the Skylights and Lions tips off at 6 in the Armory Gymnasium. Northern's home game with Dickinson State also tips at 6 p.m. Friday.