The old cliche' stands true for the Carroll men's basketball team this weekend.

The Saints are leaving the best for last.

The Carroll men will play the top two teams in the conference when No. 23 Lewis-Clark State comes to town tonight and No. 24 Westminster visits on Saturday.

The contests are the final two games of the regular season for the Saints, who are one game back of the league leaders. The conference standings are a muddle at the top as Westminster, Rocky Mountain and Lewis-Clark State all have 9-3 conference marks. Montana State-Northern and Carroll are both at 8-4.

"There are a million combinations of things that could happen," said Carroll coach Gary Turcott. "It's unlimited on how things could go."

Carroll will be tested tonight by a Lewis-Clark squad that prides itself on solid defensive play. They allow 66 points per game, which is 24th in the country.

"They are an excellent defensive team," Turcott said. "They are the quickest defensive team in the conference. They are able to make up any mistake they might make -- and they don't make many -- with speed."

Setting the defensive tone for the Warriors is J.R. Gordon, an ultra-quick, athletic guard. Gordon leads the conference in steals at almost three per game.

How the Saints handle the Warriors' pressure will be important.

"We had 21 turnovers last time (the teams met)," Turcott said. "We can't turn the ball over that many times."

LCSC also can boast of the top scorer in the conference, Mike Gordy. Gordy puts in 21 points per game.

Saturday's game against Westminster will give the Saints a chance to avenge a 95-60 blowout loss earlier this season.

Danny Reeder is the reigning conference MVP and he is the main cog in the Griffins' offense, handing out 7.17 assists per game.

"He makes every other player on their team that much better," said Turcott.

The Griffins also have two other capable scorers in Danny Stosich and Nate Sanchez. Stosich cans 17 points per game and Sanchez adds 11 points per contest.

Carroll is the hottest team in the conference, winning five games in a row. They are also coming off a resounding win over 16th-ranked Rocky Mountain College last weekend.

Defensively, the Saints have been outstanding lately, allowing 64 points per game.

Chad Vaculin paces Carroll at 14 points per game.

"We are excited to have a couple of home games," Turcott said. "We know these are the big boys. They are two teams that are tied for first and are both nationally ranked. The two big guns are coming to town."

Tipoff for both games is at 8 p.m.

Sports editor Tom Cotton: 447-4070 or irsports@helenair.com