NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State makes its final homecourt appearance of 2011 Monday night at 7 in Prather Coliseum, aiming for continuing solid shooting and a third straight win as traditional NAIA power Central Methodist visits with a father-son coaching matchup as a sidenote.
 
The Demons (6-5) mashed Central Methodist's Heart of America Athletic Conference comrades, Missouri Valley, 85-39 Saturday afternoon. William Mosley led NSU with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks and 3 steals. The 6-7 center is averaging 8.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4 blocks.
 
Northwestern's top scorers are junior guard Shamir Davis (12.6 points per game) and junior forward James Hulbin (10.2 per game).
 
Over the last three games, NSU has made 48 percent (81-187) of its shots, including 42 percent (30-72) on 3-pointers. The Demons had their second-best free throw aim of the season, a modest 70 percent, in the Missouri Valley win.
 
Defense has been a trigger. Northwestern is averaging 10.3 steals per game including 13 per game in the last three contests.
 
CMU coach Jeff Sherman has 481 career wins in his 27th season at the helm of the Runnin' Eagles program and has been named the HAAC Coach-of-the-Year three of the past four seasons – 2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10.   In 2008-09 and 2009-10, the Eagles enjoyed back-to-back NAIA National Tournament appearances.  During the 2009-10 season, Central Methodist captured the HAAC Championship and was ranked as high as No. 11 in the nation. 
 
His son Matt is a graduate assistant coach on Mike McConathy's staff at NSU. The elder Sherman sat on the Demons' bench earlier this month during their game at No. 8/10 Missouri.
 
CMU is 5-6 this season. Monday's game counts as an exhibition for the Eagles.