Lights look to honor seniors with wins over Bears, Dawgs

The Montana State University-Northern Lights have just two home games left in the 2020 Frontier Conference regular season. But the next two nights in the Armory Gymnasium aren't just your garden variety home games. No, these are big, and they are special.

First off, the Lights (6-8, 16-10) are chasing a top-four finish in the Frontier standings, which would put them back in the Armory for the first round of the playoffs. Secondly, this weekend will be an emotional farewell to a big, and talented Northern senior class.

The festivities start Friday night when Northern hosts Rocky Mountain College (1-13, 6-17), followed by Saturday night's senior night game against Montana Western (4-10, 11-14). Both games tip off at 8 p.m. in Havre.

Both are huge, and will have lasting implications on the rest of the season for a Lights team that's won four of its last five and is a combined 3-1 against the Battlin' Bears and Bulldogs this season.

Still, as good as the Lights have been playing, Northern head coach Shawn Huse isn't taking anything for granted, not against RMC, which includes former Box Elder star Brandon The Boy, or against the upstart Bulldogs, who have a great scoring combo in James Jones and Cedric Boone, who combine to average more than 30 points per night.

"Rocky and Western remain as tough as anyone in this league, no matter what the results have been for them or us, or them versus us, so far this year," Huse said. "The score will be 0-0 when they tip the ball up. We know we have to be prepared just as much as ever this week, and keep learning ... while applying things we have learned thus far. This team has grown immensely and we are excited to be back home after a tough, yet very successful, two-week road stretch."

Indeed, the Lights are excited to be back in the Armory, and Saturday night will be an emotional time for the MSU-N seniors.

To be honored Saturday night before the game against Western are fifth-year seniors Adam Huse and Devin Bray, as well as star froward Kavon Bey and one-year transfer Gio Jackson.

All four Lights have brought something special to the table, and especially this season. Bey is Northern's leading scorer and rebounder, while Huse also averages double figures, and he and Bray have been longtime backcourt mates for MSU-N. Jackson has also provided a big spark at point guard this for Northern, who, while honoring the seniors, is also hoping Saturday night isn't their last home game, either.

"This is a special group of guys. They have provided wonderful leadership and production on the court, in the classroom, and in the community," coach Huse said. "They will be greatly missed like so many seniors in the past. It has been an honor to serve as their coach and have the opportunity to have a hand in their growth as players, students, and people. They have represented our program, school and town so well in so many ways ... and I am sure I speak for so many people when I say they will always hold a special place in our hearts. I really hope we can send them off in a great way with a great weekend at home, and a great finish next weekend."

The seniors will be sorely missed, but they're not done yet either. Northern's two home games against Rocky and Western Friday and Saturday tip off at 8 p.m. in the Armory, then the Lights will finish the regular season at Carroll College next Friday and at Providence next Saturday.

Lights (6-8, 16-10) vs RMC Battlin' Bears (1-13, 6-17) Friday at 8 p.m.; vs Western Bulldogs (4-10, 11-14) Saturday at 8 p.m.

In Armory Gymnasium

Radio: 92.5 KPQX

Streaming: golightsgo.com

Twitter: HavreDaily

Lights Projected Starters

G Devin Bray, 5-10, Sr., 7 ppg

G Adam Huse, 6-1, Sr., 13 ppg

G Mascio McCadney, 6-3, Jr., 15 ppg

F Kavon Bey, 6-6, Sr. 15 ppg

F Cedric Crutchfield, 6-8, Sr., 6 ppg