NATCHITOCHES – Coming off a buzzer-beating win at McNeese, the Northwestern State Demons open a two-game homestand Wednesday night at 7 in Prather Coliseum squaring off with Lamar to stay atop the Southland Conference East Division basketball standings.
 
Both teams are 3-2 in conference play, approaching the halfway point of the 16-game conference season. The Demons (10-9) won 64-61 last Saturday at McNeese on a last-second 3-point basket from junior guard Shamir Davis, while the Cardinals (12-7) won 92-78 at Central Arkansas, shooting 83 percent after halftime to pull away. McNeese is also 3-2 in SLC games.
 
The contest shapes up as a fast-paced shootout, as NSU-Lamar matchups usually are. The Demons have won the last three meetings.
 
“They're very athletic, do a great job offensively and score lots of points,” said Demons' 13^th-year coach Mike McConathy.  “With explosive scorers in Devon Lamb, Anthony Miles and very solid players with Charlie Harper and Devon Lamb, they have four senior starters, and some great pieces that will create some problems for us. We have to come ready to defend first, and hopefully pick up some points in transition that we'll need.”
 
James, a 6-1 guard who scored 52 in a game last season, tips Lamar with a 16.3 scoring average. Harper, a 6-5 forward, had 22 points and 14 rebounds at UCA.
 
The Demons are led by senior center William Mosley, third nationally with 4.2 blocked shots per game. With his second block Wednesday night, he will tie LSU great Shaquille O'Neal for 19^th on the NCAA career blocked shots list with 412.
 
“That's an amazing blessing to have this opportunity. Who doesn't know how great a player Shaquille O'Neal was? To have my name near his, I am just thankful that my teammates and coaches have helped me to get to this point,” said Mosley.
 
Davis tops the Demons with a 13.9 scoring average and has averaged 17 points in the last three games. Mosley's 10.6 scoring average is second for NSU, just ahead of Louis Ellis at 10.4 per game.
 
Lamar's first year head coach is former Texas Tech head coach Pat Knight, son of Basketball Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight.

Fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs during the game.
 
The game will be broadcast on 97.5 FM KDBH in Natchitoches. The broadcast will be webcast on nsudemons.com and in-game Twitter updates will be provided to followers of the @NSUDemonsMBB account.

NSU plays at home again Saturday afternoon at 2 against Southeastern Louisiana.