Box Score BOSSIER CITY – Northwestern State put itself in unfamiliar territory Saturday, racing to a first-half lead as big as 23 points over neighborhood rival UL Monroe.

The Warhawks mounted a pair of dynamic comebacks, drawing within 3 twice, midway through the second half and with 26 seconds remaining.

That was not necessarily a bad thing, said Demons coach Mike McConathy after NSU held on for a 68-64 victory in the Shreveport-Bossier Holiday Classic at the CenturyLink Center.

"For the first time we had a big lead over a good team, actually, it was our first big lead over anybody this year. We've been in some tight games already, so maybe we were more comfortable in a close one," he said.

Ironically, it was a blocked shot by NSU junior point guard Devonte Hall that was the final nail in ULM's coffin. Playing in his hometown, the former Mr. Bossier High School deflected a 3-point shot with 17 seconds remaining as the Demons weathered a blast of treys by the Hawks, who had drained four of their last five behind the arc after facing a 12-point deficit with 2:57 to go.

"That play exemplified what got us the big lead. Everybody was making a difference in any way they could," said McConathy. "We played a really quality first half but credit ULM for refusing to give in and making a great game of it."

Winning their third straight, the Demons (5-4) got 13 points and five assists with no turnovers by Sabri Thompson. Hall and Zeek Woodley each added 11 points for NSU, with Ishmael Lane snatching 11 rebounds as the winners claimed a 38-29 advantage on the boards.

NSU led 40-22 at halftime, making 62 percent of its shots and benefitting from 33 percent aim from the Warhawks. The Demons contributed to ULM's rally by making only 8 of 20 free throws in the second half.

"I was trying to put myself into the game to shoot them," said McConathy. "Good shooters, guys who are struggling, didn't matter, we couldn't get the ball to fall and it left the door wide open for ULM. They took advantage knocking down those 3s with that run late in the game, but we made enough plays, fought hard, and got out of here with a good win."

The Demons finished at 53 percent from the floor while the Warhawks shot 42 percent overall.

The outcome snapped a three-game ULM streak in the series, and memories of one of those losses plagued McConathy in the second half.

"We didn't say this to the players, because you don't want to plant a seed, but three years ago we were up by 18 at home, and they got us in overtime," he said. "That's the kind that really hangs with you. Fortunately today, we did enough to hold on."

After playing its first game in 14 days, NSU goes to Houston Monday night to play Rice in the Demons' last game before Christmas. The final non-conference game is at home in Prather Coliseum on Dec. 28 against Louisiana College.