BILLINGS, Mont.- Rocky Men's and Women's Basketball finished their non-conference schedule last week with wins in the Hampton Inn Green and Gold Classic and will now look ahead to the conference schedule, as they take on MSU-Northern in Havre on Thursday and host Carroll College on Saturday.
Battlin' Bears Recap: Rocky women's basketball defeated Southern Alberta Institute of Technology 101-50 and bested the Dickinson State women for the third time this season 64-47 in the Hampton Inn Green and Gold Classic at home. Freshman Iliana Moran got her first two starts of her Rocky career and made them count, highlighted by a 13 point, nine rebound, five assist, and four steal performance against SAIT.
The Rocky men also came out victorious in both their matchups in the Green and Gold Classic, defeating SAIT 91-58 and avenging their earlier loss to Dickinson State by defeating the Blue Hawks 70-60. Kael Robinson continued to be a leader on the offensive end, averaging 15.0 points per game in the Green and Gold Classic, while also grabbing 6.5 rebounds per game over the weekend and swiping four steals versus Dickinson State.
Thursday, January 5th at MSU-Northern
WBB @ 5:00pm
MBB @ 7:00pm
Scouting the Lights/Skylights: The MSU-Northern Skylights have begun their season 7-8 (0-2 conf.), including wins in all three of their final non-conference games last weekend.
The Skylights have been led by junior guard Briaunna McCullough (13.8 ppg (3rd in the Frontier), 6.9 rpg (4th in the Frontier), 2.7 spg), senior forward Ryley Kehr (11.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.7 apg), and reigning Frontier Conference Player of the Week, sophomore forward Shyan Krass (11.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg (4th in the Frontier), 1.3 bpg). The Skylights average 64.9 points per game this season, while allowing 60.1 points per game.
MSU-Northern women are coached by Chris Mouat in his eighteenth season.
The MSU-Northern men have begun their season 12-3 (1-1 conf.), as they ride a four game win streak coming into Thursday's matchup.
The Lights are led by senior forward Jesse Keltner (12.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.9 bpg (1st in the Frontier, 5th in the NAIA), 62.1% FG% (1st in the Frontier)), senior guard CJ Nelson (9.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 43.9% 3pt%), and junior guard Zackry Martinez (8.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.1 spg). MSU-Northern averages 80.5 points per game, while allowing only 62.1 points per game.
The Lights are coached by Shawn Huse in his 21st season.
Saturday, January 7th vs Carroll College
Presented by Opportunity Bank
WBB @ 2:00pm
MBB @ 4:00pm
Scouting the Fighting Saints: The Carroll College women have begun their season 11-4 (2-0 conf.) and are the 11th ranked team in the country.
The Saints are led by senior forward Jamie Pickens (15.3 ppg (2nd in the Frontier), 5.6 rpg, 54.1 % FG% (4th in the Frontier)), junior guard Kyndall Keller (11.1 ppg, 1.5 spg, 39.3% 3pt%) and graduate senior guard Kamden Hilborn (5.7 ppg, 6.3 apg (1st in the Frontier, 6th in the NAIA), 1.6 spg). Carroll College averages 67.7 points per game this season, while allowing only 53.1 points per game.
The Carroll women are coached by Rachelle Sayers in her 11th season.
The Carroll College men have begun their season 7-6 (1-1 conf.) and are currently the 24th ranked team in the country, but are on a four game losing streak going into Thursday's matchup with No. 13 Montana Tech.
The Saints are led by sophomore guard Andrew Cook (17.2 ppg (1st in the Frontier), 4.6 rpg, 40.0% 3pt%), senior guard Jonny Hillman, who has not played in the last four games for Carroll, (14.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.9 apg), and senior forward Brendan Temple (12.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.1 apg). The Carroll College men average 74.4 points per game so far this season, while allowing 69.8 points per game.
The Carroll men are coached by Kurt Paulson in his fifth season.
Social Media: Follow @BattlinBears on Twitter for live updates as the game goes on.
