NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State will be looking to halt two slides on Wednesday when it hosts Texas-San Antonio at 7 in Prather Coliseum in Southland Conference women's hoops action – a three game losing streak and a nine-game slump against the Roadrunners.
 
The game will be broadcast live on the Demon Sports Network, flagshipped by 100.7 KZBL in Natchitoches.  Free live audio streaming as well as live stats, along with live video for a minimal fee, will be available on www.nsudemons.com.
 
All Northwestern faculty and staff will be admitted free to the game with a valid school ID while family and friends can get a ticket for just $3.
 
The Lady Demons (4-12, 0-3 SLC) are coming off their worst loss in school history in conference play after an 84-43 loss at Central Arkansas last Saturday.  But despite that setback and a three-game losing streak, head coach Jennifer Graf said the spirits are high for her Lady Demon team that has faced mounds of adversity this season.
 
“We've had a good week of practice and we're ready to play,” said Graf.  “It's been tough on the girls because we do just dress out seven players because of injuries.  But they're out there playing their hearts out and giving it their all.”
 
UTSA (6-10, 2-1) has been up and down all season but is coming off perhaps its biggest win of the season after knocking off Stephen F. Austin 50-46 in its last outing.
 
The Roadrunners, who average just 55 points a game, will likely look to slow down NSU's up-tempo style of play.
 
“They like to walk it up the court,” said Graf.  “We'll look to see how that plays out and will probably try to attack them in the half court.”
 
The Roadrunners also rely heavily on a defense that is holding opponents to 38 percent shooting from the field and 30 percent from 3-point range. 
 
No player on the squad is averaging double-figures in scoring but guard Judy Jones is knocking in 10.3 points in the three conference games.
 
For the Lady Demons, Jordi James continues to lead the squad in scoring with a 13.7 average followed by Trudy Armstead at 12.4 ppg and Jasmine Upchurch with a 10.9 mark.
 
NSU, who ranks second in the league in rebounding with 43.8 boards per game, has struggled in other areas defensively and allows opponents to 40 percent shooting from the field while giving up 72.9 points per game.
 
Following Wednesday's game, the Lady Demons will start their toughest road stretch of the season when they visit McNeese State on Saturday followed by a visit to Lamar on Jan. 25 and Southeastern Louisiana on Jan. 28.