LIGHTS vs SKC

Story of the Game
The Lights basketball team dominated from start to finish in their first game of the AmericInn Thanksgiving Classic at the Armory Gymnasium against Salish Kootenai College 145-46.  Northern also broke the all-time single-game scoring record of 142 points held by the Lights in two different years: 1996 vs. Metropolitan State and 1988 vs. Briercrest.

Stat of the Game
Eight Northern Lights scored in double figures on the night with three of them scoring 20 or more.  Leading the way was senior forward Ryan Reeves with 28 points on 11-of-16 from the field and 6-of-8 from the charity stripe.  Junior guards Gabe Porter and Caulin Bakalarski each added 20.  

Turning Point
The Lights got off to a hot start as they led 15-2 just three minutes into the game and connected on nine shots from beyond the arc to extend the lead at halftime to 67-26.  A barrage of three-pointers in the second half along with a stingy defense allowed the Lights to cruise to a 145-46 victory.

The Lights So Far
Northern moves to 5-2 on the season.

LIGHTS vs VCSU

Story of the Game
In their second game of the AmericInn Thanksgiving Classic, the Northern Lights defeated Northstar Athletic Conference foe Valley City State University 77-54 to go 2-0 over the holiday weekend.

Stat of the Game
The Lights' defense held the Vikings to 41 percent from the field and 27 percent from the three-point line.  They also forced 12 turnovers, collected seven steals, and blocked three shots.

Turning Point
Northern jumped on the Vikings early in the contest as they built a 21-7 lead at the 9:51 mark.  A buzzer beater three-pointer from sophomore guard Devin Bray as time expired in the first half put the Lights up 40-18.  VCSU used a 36-point second half outing to try and claw their way back into the game, but Northern's defense gave up just three points in the last 2:30 of action to come away with the win.

The Lights So Far
Northern moves to 6-2 on the season.

Up Next
The Lights will now face their first opponents of conference play as they take on both Rocky Mountain College and Carroll College in Havre on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2.  Game information and links can be found on the schedule page.

PHOTO COURTESY of Kelly Gorham, MSU Visual Media