MSU-Northern Lights Basketball News

Lights Basketball
2004-05
News

Mar. 7, 2005 Frontier Conference All-Conference Team
Marcus Wilson & Jordan Matthews - 2nd Team
Cory Brothers - Freshman of the Year

Mar. 4, 2005 Lewis-Clark knocks Lights out of tourney
BUTTE - The Lewis-Clark State Warriors may have been the third seed coming into Thursday's first round of the Frontier Conference Men's Tournament, but they still played like they were the defending champions. LC played probably its best basketball of the season en route to a 89-62 win over the Montana State University-Northern Lights in first-round tournament action in the Maroon Activity Center.

Mar. 4, 2005 Lights fall to LC State in 1st Round
MT Standard Article

Mar. 3, 2005 Lights enter Frontier tourney as sixth seed
There are a number of reasons why teams didn't want to play the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team in today's Frontier Conference tournament at the Maroon Activity Center in Butte. Probably the biggest reason is that the Lights have lost enough close games this season that they are overdue to win one soon.

Mar. 2, 2005 Frontier Tournament Previews
Great Falls Tribune
Helena Independent Record
Billings Gazette

Feb. 28, 2005 Fouls, turnovers cost Lights victory in road game
The Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team will have to wait another year to pick up a Frontier Conference road win. The Lights squandered a perfect opportunity on Saturday night in a 73-68 loss to the University of Great Falls at a packed McLaughlin Center on the UGF campus.

Feb. 28, 2005 Frontier Conference Tourney Pairings

Feb. 25, 2005 Lights drop nonconference game to MSU-Billings, prepare for UGF
Not many teams would schedule the MSU-Billings men's basketball team in the midst of their conference season. The Yellowjackets are a perennial power in the Pac-West Conference. But not many teams are like the MSU-Northern men's basketball team. The Lights got some added game experience, some money and, most important of all, some preparation for the upcoming Frontier Conference Tournament in a 94-69 loss in Billings on Thursday night.

Feb. 22, 2005 Lights road woes continue
Unfortunately, the MSU-Northern men couldn't also salvage a split like the Skylights. The Lights battled valiantly against the 12th-ranked Griffins, but fell 73-63. Northern overcame an 11-point halftime deficit in the second half to cut the lead to five with about two minutes remaining. With this season, a Frontier Conference road win, no matter how close or who it is over, is an accomplishment.

Feb. 18, 2005 Lewis-Clark State sweeps Northern hoop squads
Lewis-Clark State's old facility, Warrior Gym, wasn't very kind to the MSU-Northern women's and men's basketball teams in the past. Unfortunately, the Skylights' and Lights' misfortune carried over into the brand new $15 million Lewis-Clark Activity Center. Both teams had one rough half of basketball en route to a two-game sweep by the Warriors. The cold shooting continued into the men's game as the Lights didn't just dig themselves into a hole, they dug themselves into a canyon in 71-51 loss to the Warriors.

Feb. 17, 2005 Lights face Lewis-Clark State in new facility
Pardon the Montana State University-Northern basketball teams for not getting nostalgic when discussing the Warrior Gym on the Lewis-Clark State campus in Lewiston, Idaho. For the Skylights and Lights players and coaches, the best part of the historic old gym is that it is now history. Northern will instead be playing in the brand new $15 million Lewis-Clark Activity Center tonight when they take on the Warriors at 6 and 8 p.m.

Feb. 14, 2005 Lights' late-game woes continue in two heartbreaking conference losses
There has been no shortage of close games for the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team. Unfortunately for the Lights, there has been a shortage of wins in those close games. In what seems to be an overwhelming theme of this season, Northern had chances to win both of its conference home games this past weekend, only to see them slip away in heartbreaking fashion.

Feb. 13, 2005 Bears nip the Lights
Billings Gazette Article

Feb. 12, 2005 Lights fall short vs. Carroll College
Helena Independent Record Article

Feb. 11, 2005 Lights happy to return home to face Carroll, RMC
The Montana State University-Northern men's basketball can forget about its Frontier Conference road woes for at least a week. The Lights gladly return home to the friendly confines of the MSU-Northern gymnasium this weekend to host Carroll College and Rocky Mountain College in their final home contests of the season.

Feb. 10, 2005 Frontier Conference Notebook
Great Falls Tribune Article

Feb. 7, 2005 Cold-shooting, missed free throws hamper Lights in back-to-back road losses
The search for the first road win for the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team will have to wait a few more weeks. The Lights dropped two tough Frontier Conference games this past weekend, one in heartbreaking fashion. Northern missed out on a golden opportunity to notch its first conference road win, while Montana Tech earned its first conference win of any type with a 73-71 win at the HPER Complex in Butte.

Feb. 4, 2005 Lights looking for first Frontier Conference road win against Tech, UM-Western
It's tough to imagine the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team playing much better than it did two weeks ago in its 64-54 upset win over then eighth-ranked Lewis-Clark State. But for the Lights to pick up their first Frontier Conference road win of the season, head coach Shawn Huse believes his team must play even better.

Jan. 31, 2005 Strong second half spurs Lights past Argos
In terms of aesthetics, the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team's 72-51 win over the University of Great Falls wasn't picturesque or pretty. But this year's Lights team isn't trying to win beauty contests; it's trying to win basketball games. And for Northern to be successful, games are going to be a little on the ugly side.

Jan. 30,. 2005 Wilson & Stovall combine for 24 pts in UGF win
Helena Independent Record Article

Jan. 28, 2005 Skylights, Lights host much-improved UGF squads
There are very few guarantees in the Frontier Conference, but a few years ago, wins over the University of Great Falls in basketball were darn close to a sure thing. But now, about the only sure thing with playing UGF is that you are going to be tested.

Jan. 27, 2005 Frontier Conference Notebook
Great Falls Tribune Article

Jan. 24, 2005 Lights show resiliency, knock off No. 9 L-C State
The best word Montana State University-Northern men's basketball coach Shawn Huse could come up with was resiliency. After dropping a frustrating 64-54 decision to Westminster College on Friday night, the Lights showed a little bit of the r-word with a 58-56 upset of the ninth-ranked Lewis-Clark State Warriors in a raucous MSU-Northern gymnasium.

Jan. 21, 2005 Lights host more tough opponents
If it seems like the same thing is being written week after week, there's a reason for it. Basically, the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team will face yet another formidable challenge this week. It seems like the games only get tougher each week for the Lights. Northern will host the previously-ranked Westminster College Griffins tonight at 8 and the ninth-ranked Lewis-Clark State Warriors on Saturday also at 8 p.m.

Jan. 20, 2005 Frontier Conference Notebook
Great Falls Tribune Article

Jan. 19, 2005 The Lights Flash January Newsletter

Jan. 17, 2005 Lights run into hot shooting Saints
The Montana State University-Northern basketball teams have never been so happy to see Havre. The Lights suffered a loss to Carroll College on Saturday night in Helena to make them 0-2 in their first conference road trip of the season. The outcome didn't come down to a final shot, but with the way the Carroll men were shooting, they would have made it. The Saints shot a ridiculous 61 percent from the field and an even more ludicrous 65 percent from 3-point range in a 98-73 win over the Lights.

Jan. 14, 2005 Rocky Bears trip Lights 64-62
The first road trip of the Frontier Conference season wasn't too kind to the Montana State University-Northern basketball teams. Offense wasn't at premium in the men's game either. Northern's defense stifled a potent Bears' offense, but in the end, Northern couldn't produce the offense when it needed it most, falling 64-62 to Rocky.

Jan. 16, 2005 Carroll men run past the Lights
Helena IR Article

Jan. 13, 2005 Lights' defense to be tested again this weekend
If the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team wants to make its mark as a defensive-minded squad, the Lights will certainly get tested this weekend, starting tonight when they travel to Billings to face the Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears.

Jan. 10, 2005 Lights salvage split after heartbreaking loss
Call it a theft or a throwaway, UM-Western's 89-80 overtime win over the MSU-Northern Lights on Friday night was a bit of both depending on which side of the decision you were on.

Jan. 9, 2005 Light hold 'Diggers to 57 pts in Frontier win
MT Standard Article - Men's BB Frontier Conference Roundup

Jan. 8, 2005 Bulldogs bite the Lights in overtime
MT Standard Article

Jan. 7, 2005 Lights host revamped Bulldog squad
In a year where there are no easy games or easy opponents in the Frontier Conference, the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team still managed to draw one of the toughest teams in its conference opener The newly revamped and No. 22-ranked UM-Western Bulldogs will be in Havre tonight to take on the Lights at 8 p.m. at the MSU-Northern gymnasium.

Jan. 6, 2005 Frontier Conference Notebook
Great Falls Tribune Article

Jan. 6, 2005 Frontier Conference Games Preview
MT Standard Article

Jan. 4, 2005 Jordan Matthews named Player of the Week

Dec. 31, 2004 Lights crush Okanagan
On the bright side for the Okanagan University College men's basketball team, things could have been much worse in Thursday night's 106-69 shellacking by the MSU-Northern Lights. Unfortunately for the Lakers, they have to play the Lights again tonight. After fighting hard for a victory the night before, Northern (8-5) took the intrigue out of the game early against the undermanned Lakers almost immediately following the opening tip.

Dec. 30, 2004 Northern holds off Haskell
So much for a home court advantage. According to the schedule, it was supposed to be a home game for the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team. Judging by the crowd, it wasn't. Despite a partisan crowd cheering against them in their own gym, the Lights persevered over a pesky and game Haskell Indian Nation University squad with a 61-55 win at a near capacity-filled MSU-Northern gym Wednesday night.

Dec. 29, 2004 Lights return to the floor to face Haskell
Normally, playing a 1-13 team would hardly keep most basketball coaches up at night with worry. Still, Montana State University-Northern head coach Shawn Huse knows his team isn't playing a typical 1-13 team when it hosts the Haskell Indian Nation University Fighting Indians today at 7 p.m. at the MSU-Northern gym.

Dec. 18, 2004 Lights fall at Montana State University
Bozeman Daily Chronicle Article

Dec. 17, 2004 Lights travel to Montana State
In a week when most of Montana is consumed with football, the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team will face probably its toughest test of the season when it travels to Bozeman to take on NCAA Division I Montana State tonight at Worthington Arena in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.

Dec. 12, 2004 The Lights Flash Newsletter December Issue

Dec. 11, 2004 Lights run over MT All-Star team

Dec. 10, 2004 Lights host tough Montana All-Star squad in exhibition game
No offense to the last two opponents of the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team -Concordia University College and Augustana University College - but Saturday's opponent for the Lights is slightly more talented. Alright a lot more talented. Northern will host the Montana All-Stars in exhibition action Saturday at 8 p.m. at the MSU-Northern gymnasium.

Dec. 7, 2004 3 Frontier Teams Ranked in NAIA Top 25 Poll

Dec. 6, 2004 Lights cruise to a pair of wins
It was evident early that Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team was going to win both of its games at this weekend's Coaches vs. Cancer Classic basketball tournament in Havre. The only uncertainty would be by how much. Northern rolled up 191 points in two games while holding its opponents to under 50 points both nights in a pair of wins.

Dec. 3, 2004 Lights host Coaches vs. Cancer Classic
When the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team takes the floor today and Saturday, the intent will be to win the games. But regardless of the results, the Lights and fans attending will be helping fight the good fight during this weekend's third annual Super 8 Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at the MSU-Northern gymnasium. The four-team tournament will not only offer good basketball action, but a chance for people to help donate to the fight against cancer.

Nov. 29, 2004 Lights bounce back with a pair of wins
It's a pretty simple philosophy: Good things happen when you get a shot on every possession. The Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team followed that philosophy to a pair of wins at this weekend's Rocky Mountain College Alumni Food for the Holidays tournament.

Nov. 26, 2004 Lights out to snap losing skid
When you've lost four straight games, there isn't a lot of time spent worrying about what your opponents are doing. Nope, the focus on things that you are or are not doing. For the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team, it all comes down to the little things. The Lights simply haven't been doing those little things that head coach Shawn Huse believes his team needs to win games. Hopefully that will change this weekend as the Northern heads to Billings for a pair of games at Rocky Mountain College's Thanksgiving Classic.

Nov 16, 2004 Lights drop three games on North Dakota road swing
Nothing against the state of North Dakota, but Shawn Huse and the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team are in no hurry to go back to the Peace Garden State. Plagued by offensive and shooting woes, the Lights dropped three games in five days against teams from the DAC-10 conference.

Nov. 12, 2004 Lights venture east for extended North Dakotan road trips
North Dakota. It's not just the fodder of Montanan's jokes. There is also some solid basketball being played in the Badlands, and the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team will get to see that firsthand weekend. The Lights will be spending the next four days in the Dakota flat lands, with each team playing three teams against opponents from a steadily improving DAC-10 conference.

Nov. 10, 2004 Frontier Conference Preview
MT Standard Article

Nov. 8 2004 Lights experience more growing pains in tough home loss to Minot State
Sometimes being patient can be downright painful. Montana State University-Northern men's basketball coach Shawn Huse knows that his team of new players at a new level is in the midst of a learning process that will bring inconsistency, mistakes and even losses. The Lights got all three on Sunday with a 92-86 loss to the Minot State Beavers in afternoon action at the MSU-Northern gymnasium.

Nov. 5, 2004 Lights take a leap with win over DSU
Head coach Shawn Huse may measure the success of his Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team in baby steps. But his Lights took an adult leap on Thursday night with an 81-73 win over the Dickinson State Bluehawks at the MSU-Northern gymnasium.

Nov. 4, 2004 Lights offense breaks through at home
Unless you're so bad offensively that you physically can't toss a ball into the ocean, holding your opponent to 54 points is going to win you plenty of basketball games. However, for the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team, it appeared its offense is catching up with its defense in an 82-54 win over the University of Regina Huskies Wednesday night at the MSU-Northern gymnasium.

Nov 3, 2004 Lights open three-game home stand
There really is only one way to tell if your basketball team is improving from week to week - it's how you play in games. Everybody always looks improved in practice; it's games that tell the truth. The Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team will get the opportunity to see if it has improved from its first weekend of competition when it hosts the University of Regina at 7:30 p.m. today at the MSU-Northern gymnasium.

Oct 25, 2004 Northern men open season with a split at Canadian tournament
One thing is for certain: The Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team won't go undefeated and it won't go winless this season. The Lights struggled offensively in their first game of the season with a 74-52 loss to the University of Saskatchewan on Friday, but bounced back to defeat Windsor University 70-67 on Saturday night at the Huskiehoops.com Shootout in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Oct. 24, 2004 Huskie Shoot-Out Wrap-Up

Oct. 24, 2004 Lights hold on to defeat U. of Windsor
Great Falls Tribune Article - bottom of page

Oct 21, 2004 Lights ready to take floor in 2004
While it may seem about a month too early, Shawn Huse and his Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team can't wait to take the floor Friday to open their 2004-05 season. You would too, if you'd been practicing for over a month with the alumni game and a scrimmage with Dawson Community College as your only form of game competition The Lights will be in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for a pair of games starting Friday night at 8 p.m. with a match-up against the University of Saskatchewan. Northern will face the University of Windsor on Saturday at 8 p.m.

Oct. 14, 2004 Lights picked 6th in preseason poll

Oct. 1, 2004 Stovall hopes to clean up the garbage in Armchair QBs
Reid Stovall is straight vanilla when it comes to his work on the basketball court for the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team - and we don't just mean by the color of his skin. Call it yeoman's work, grunt work or blue collar work, that's the way Reid plays. He is far from flashy. You'll sooner see him run out on the court in a cheerleading skirt that see him throw a behind-the-back pass. Reid doesn't play "old school," he plays "really old school" as in short shorts, short hair and canvas shoes.

Aug 1, 2004 Lights recruit 6'6" forward
Head coach Shawn Huse announced another addition to the MSU-Northern Lights Basketball program today. Marcus Wilson, of Chico, CA, has signed a letter of intent to compete for the Lights next year.

July 13, 2004 Northern Men adds hoop recruits
MSU-Northern men’s basketball coach Shawn Huse has added a pair of recruits for the upcoming season. Antonio Jordan of Little Rock, AR, and Tim Hutchins of Marietta, GA, have signed NAIA national letters of intent to play for the Lights.

May. 28, 2004 Lights sign junior college guard
Montana State University-Northern basketball coach Shawn Huse has added some instant help for next season with the signing of junior college guard Rodrick Carter. Carter, a 6-0 guard, averaged 14 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for McCook Community College in McCook, NE.

May. 4, 2004 Lights add recruit for next season
One of the most prolific scorers in in North Central Montana will be bring his offensive exploits to the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team. Colby Bliss, a 6-1 shooting guard from Dutton/Brady, has signed an NAIA national letter of intent to play for the Lights.