MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Northwestern State takes on another 2011 NCAA Tournament entry Thursday night to start a busy weekend on the road when the Demons visit Alabama State, with games at Marshall and Cincinnati just ahead in the Global Sports Challenge round-robin tournament.
 
Northwestern (1-1) will take on Alabama State (0-2) at 6 p.m. in the Dunn-Oliver Arena as the Hornets make their homecourt debut after losses at Marshall (67-49) and Cincinnati (65-40). The Demons will try to rebound from a 72-66 defeat Sunday afternoon on the road to another team from last year's NCAA Tournament field, Arkansas-Little Rock.
 
NSU visits Marshall Saturday night and Cincinnati on Monday night to finish a burst of three games in five days among an opening stretch of five games in the season's first 10 days.
 
“It's a challenge to squeeze in any extensive practice work because we've got to keep our legs fresh,” said 13^th-year coach Mike McConathy. “We're still trying to blend in the new players with our returning guys, and it's a process that takes time. But I liked the way we battled at UALR and I do believe we have a chance to have a nice team if we will work that hard every time out, practice and games.”
 
Alabama State has won two of the last three Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament titles, and returns four starters from last season, including Preseason All-SWAC picks Ivory White and Tramaine Butler. White was the league's preseason defensive player of the year. Kenderek Washington tops the Hornets with averages of 14.5 points and 5.5 rebounds.
 
The Demons have newcomer Gary Roberson as their top scorer so far with a 12.5 average, sinking 56 percent from the field including 3 of 5 on 3-pointers. Junior forward James Hulbin is contributing 10.5 points per game, while senior center William Mosley is averaging 9 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks per game.
 
NSU needs to step up its team shooting aim. The Demons have made just 40 percent overall, only 27 percent of their 3-pointers, and just 56 percent of their free throws.
 
Rebounding has been a saving grace, with a 46-37 average advantage, and NSU is scoring 76.5 per game.