NORMAN, Okla. – Northwestern State didn't lined up a softie for its last game before starting Southland Conference play next Saturday, as the Demons come out of a nine-day break to visit Oklahoma Saturday at 2 in the Lloyd Noble Center.

While NSU (7-6) may have to shake off the cobwebs, the Sooners (9-2) might be a bit travel weary following their 56-55 loss Thursday night at Cincinnati. The Demons last played Dec. 22 in an 82-67 loss at No. 14 Mississippi State.

Building a challenging non-conference schedule has been a hallmark of Mike McConathy's 13 seasons as the Demons' coach.

“We want a good mix of opponents to help us prepare for the conference season,” he said. “In our system, we use so many players, more than most teams, and it's important for us to get everybody enough playing time to help define roles and rotations.”

One encouraging trend is the surge in the Demons' shooting over the past five games. NSU was sinking just 39 percent overall and only 27 percent on 3-pointers through eight games, but in the last five outings, shots have fallen at a 47 percent rate overall including 39 percent on 3-pointers. NSU hit 55 percent of its second-half shots at Mississippi State while drawing as close as six points.

Junior point guard Shamir Davis continues to top NSU's lineup with a 13.3 scoring average and 48 percent shooting aim. He has 10 double-digit scoring totals this season, doubling his career total.

Senior guard Louis Ellis has shaken a slump at the outset of the season and is averaging 13 points in the last eight games, and is second in scoring overall at 11 per game.  Junior forward James Hulbin is averaging 11.6 points in the last seven games.

The Sooners are getting 18.9 points per game from Steven Pledger, who is draining an impressive 47.5 percent (28-59) of his 3-point tries. He tops four OU players averaging in double figures, including Romero Osby, who is near a double-double average with 10.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.

Following the OU contest, Northwestern comes home to begin Southland competition next Saturday at 2 against Texas State in Prather Coliseum.