Northern hoops returns home tonight

February is here, which means it's the stretch run for the Montana State University-Northern basketball teams.

And tonight, the Lights and Skylights have big games in the Armory Gymnasium as they welcome Rocky Mountain College.

The Northern women are fresh off a huge home win against Montana Western last Saturday, which moved head coach Chris Mouat's team to 4-3 in the Frontier Conference, and a tie for third place. Led by a surging Shyan Krass, and stalwarts like Ryley Kehr and others, the Skylights are battling for a strong finish in the Frontier. And a second win over Rocky (2-5) would go a long way in the Skylights doing just that.

Northern beat the Battlin' Bears 76-75 earlier this month, and RMC struggled after. However, led by Grace Lekvold, Maddie Heggem and others, RMC has won two straight games and will be looking for revenge tonight in Havre.

The Rocky men will be out for revenge as well, but the Battlin' Bears (2-5) will be up against a hungry Lights squad. The Northern men are just 1-6 in the Frontier and haven't tasted victory since the Lights won at RMC earlier this month.

And while both teams are struggling, Rocky will certainly not go down without a fight, as the Bears possess one of the top players in the NAIA in Maxim Stephens. Still, the Lights will be looking to get back on track behind the strong play of DaeKwon Watson and Zack Martinez.

It's also an important home night for both Northern squads because they will have to travel to arch rival Providence Saturday, before coming back home to play Carroll College next week. 

So, with a tough schedule upcoming, Northern will be looking to defend its home court tonight. The Skylights and Battlin' Bears tip off at 5, followed by the men's game between MSU-N and RMC at 7 tonight in the Armory Gymnasium.