CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas --  The Northwestern State women's basketball team will continue Southland Conference play Thursday on the road at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi for a 5 o'clock tip in the American Bank Center.
 
Both the Islanders (8-5, 1-1 SLC) and Lady Demons (8-6, 1-1 SLC) won and lost a game in the SLC opening week.  NSU defeated Sam Houston (78-59) and lost to Lamar (84-79), and Corpus Christi lost at Central Arkansas (66-62) and beat Oral Roberts (58-53).
 
"Corpus Christi is much improved from last year.  It was the only road win we got in league play, so hopefully that will give us confidence going into the game on Thursday," said second year co-head coach Brooke Stoehr. "They've added some depth to the roster.  They've got some athleticism and added some size.
 
"They are going to look press, mix-it up and play some zone," she said. "We have to be able to score in a variety of way and be able to recognize and get into the appropriate offenses."
 
Keisha Lee and Trudy Armstead continue to sit atop the team in scoring this season.  Lee averages 15.8 and Armstead has 14.9 points per game.
 
Armstead also leads the team in rebounds at 6.3 rebounds per contest.
 
As a team, the Lady Demons are scoring at a 65-point clip; they also allow 65 points per contest.  NSU averages 14 turnovers a contest, and forces 16.
 
The Islanders are led in scoring by Jasmine Shaw (16.5 points per game) and Brittany Mbamalu (9.9 ppg).   Ashley Darley leads Corpus Christi in rebounds 6.8 per contest.
 
Last season, the two teams split.  NSU won the first contest 68-58 in Corpus Christi, and TAMUCC won 51-49 in Natchitoches.
 
TAMUCC averages 66 points a game and allows 63 a contest. 
 
"Anytime you play away from home it's a challenge," said Stoehr.  "We have to keep the same approach. I think if we bring great energy and lock in mentally we'll be alright."
 
NSU will finish a two-game road swing with conference newcomer Houston Baptist on Saturday at 3 o'clock.
 
Northwestern State will return home on Jan. 16 to host Stephen F. Austin at 5:30 in Prather Coliseum.