Box Score NATCHITOCHES – Sophomore Tra'von Joseph had career-best scoring and rebounding production, with 10 each, while junior guard Jalan West's 18 points, nine assists and five steals led Northwestern State over Lyon College 75-64 Monday night as the Demons opened their home schedule with their 400^th win in 50-year-old Prather Coliseum.
 
The Demons (1-1) got 17 points by sophomore guard Zeek Woodley, 13 points and a career-high four steals from senior center Marvin Frazier and  never trailed the Scots, an NAIA team that counted the contest as an exhibition and will do the same Tuesday night at Grambling.
 
Lyon got a 33-point performance by Ben Worlow, who sank 13 of 15 free throws along with 10 of 18 shots. Brandon Brady added 12 points for the visitors, who also sank 25 of 29 free throws.
 
NSU hit six of its first seven shots while zooming on top 16-2. Lyon fought back within 36-30, but Joseph contributed a couple of layups in a 10-4 burst over the final 2:57 before halftime to put the Demons up 46-34. The visitors got no closer than 11 points afterward and twice trailed by 20.
 
"We got good effort, and Tra'von in particular earned what he got," said NSU coach Mike McConathy. "That was a very well-coached, fundamentally sound and hard-working team we played. They made it difficult for us. We're trying to learn how to play together. We're looking for the right combinations and it's not pretty to watch at times.
 
"We're seeing the same thing early in the NBA season with some talented teams that haven't clicked yet. It's a process and as long as we bring a great work ethic and unselfishness to the court, we'll make the progress we need," he said. "We didn't play badly, we moved the ball around very nicely at times, and sometimes we didn't make the best decisions and didn't play smart basketball. We're just happy to walk away with a win and with some valuable experiences."
 
The Demons will not be back at Prather until Nov. 29. Monday's contest tipped a stretch of four games in eight days, with a Thursday visit to another NAIA program, LSU-Alexandria, before a Sunday game at No. 19 Oklahoma and playing at Texas Tech two nights later.