Skylights, Lights host much-improved UGF squads
By Ryan Divish/Havre Daily News Sports Editor/rdivish@havredailynews.com
There are very few guarantees in the Frontier Conference, but a few years ago,
wins over the
But now, about the only sure thing with playing UGF is that you are going to be
tested.
The steadily improving Argo women's and men's basketball teams will invade the
MSU-Northern gymnasium Saturday night to take on the Skylights and Lights in
yet another tough Frontier Conference clash. The women's game will tip off at
The opening game will feature another meeting in the budding rivalry between
the Skylights and the Argos.
The two teams have already met once this season on Dec. 11 in a nonconference
tilt that saw Northern pick up a 75-70 win.
Even though it was just over a month ago, the Argos are a more-improved team.
They come into Havre with a busload of confidence, having won their last two
games, including a 74-64 win over then 20th-ranked Lewis-Clark State.
UGF, 3-3 in conference and 9-11, is in the
midst of their finest season since the program was reinstated. Head coach Roger
Hatler has his team playing its best basketball when it matters most.
"That's scary, they're just going out with nothing to lose everything to
gain, "Erickson said. "They're beating top teams right now. It's a
rivalry setting. You know three years ago, they came in here and beat us.
When the
The
But it isn't just the percentage that's impressive, it's the amount of free
throws UGF shoots. The
"Watching film, I don't know how they get there so much," Erickson
said. "We've stressed all week that we can't put them on free-throw line
and give them easy points."
Freeman is fourth in the conference in scoring at 15.8 points per game. She
also averages 6.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Neill, a former Skylights
is scoring 15.3 points per game and is dangerous outside shooter, that has sank
39 3-pointers this season.
"Freeman is such a competitor," Erickson said. "She just finds
ways to score. I think she realizes that her career is ending and she's making
the most of these games. We know Nichole is great shooter and she's going to
keep shooting even when she isn't hitting and we have to respect that."
McPherson, a former Havre High standout, does the dirty work inside for UGF.
She is averaging just under 10 points per game, while grabbing 6.4 rebounds and
shooting 58 percent from the field. Ball is the newcomer to the group, but has
been explosive at times. She is averaging 13.9 points per game.
"McPherson always plays well against us, especially here in Havre,"
Erickson said. "She's very solid. Ball is very versatile and can score
from the inside and outside. She does a little bit of everything."
The foursome, along with transfer point guard Melanie Green, log the majority
of the minutes. Erickson hopes to wear the Argos down on both ends of the
floor.
"We want to be physical defensively and get into their shooters, take them
out of theirs sets and rebound," he said."If we can play defense like
we did last week, we should be fine. Offensively, we'd like to get them in a
running game and use our depth."
While the UGF women's team has dominated the headlines in the Electric City,
the Argo men have quietly went about its business, compiling a 1-5 conference
and 4-18 overall record. But don't let the losing record fool you, six of those
losses came against NCAA Division I schools.
"I don't know if there is a team in NAIA that's played a schedule as tough
as UGF," said Light head coach Shawn Huse. "They've faced some other
very good teams as well, and most of them on the road."
The Argos experience against top-level opponents is just one of many reasons
why Huse isn't letting his Lights squad overlook the Argos. Northern, 2-4 in
conference and 11-9, isn't really in a position to overlook many teams.
"Great Falls only lost to Westminster by two and we lost by 10," Huse
said. "We know that they are more than capable of beating any team in this
conference. Right now, we can't afford to look past any team we play."
UGF will present some matchup problems for the Lights with guards that are
lightning quick and decent size up front.
Sophomore point guard James Edwards leads UGF, averaging 15.2 points, 2.5
assists and 1.5 steals per game. He also get help from backcourt mates John
Chapman and Anthony Owens.
"They try to break you down off the dribble and create shots," Huse
said. "They are extremely fast and they also have some shooters you have
to respect."
Up front, UGF is led by rebounding machine Rico Suazo, forward Todd Tomlinson
and 6-8 center Igor Fishbeyn.
Despite their weapons, the Argos are averaging just 67 points a game - worst in
the conference, which seems like a tough matchup considering Northern is
holding opponents to 66.2 points per game.
"We're going to rely on our defense," Huse said. "They can make
you play ugly with their defensive pressure and show you a lot of different
things. But if our defense stays consistent, it can carry us through games when
we aren't as good offensively."
Huse knows that winning every game at home is key. But he isn't about to mark
down a win just yet.
"We know we can't just show up and expect to win," he said.
"Great Falls is very-improved from the past and any team that does that to
them is looking to get beat."
The games can be heard locally on 92.5 KPQX-FM.