NATCHITOCHES – As the second half of the Southland Conference season begins for Northwestern State Saturday afternoon, it's unfolding in Prather Coliseum, ushering in a welcome trend for coach Mike McConathy's undermanned club.
 
After playing six of their first nine league games on the road, including the last four, the Demons have two straight in Prather Coliseum and are at home for six of the last nine over the next five weeks. NSU has won 71 percent of its home games in McConathy's 18 seasons and is 5-2 at home so far in 2016-17.
 
NSU welcomes Stephen F. Austin for a 3:30 rivalry battle Saturday, following a 1 p.m. women's contest between the schools. The "Pack Prather" doubleheader will be carried on ESPN3.
 
The Demons (9-11 overall, 3-6 in the Southland) have the fewest home appearances of any of the 13 Southland teams overall, and in league play. Three of their next four outings are in Prather Coliseum.
 
NSU went 2-2 while away from home since Jan. 14, most recently falling in a 107-97 shootout Thursday night at Central Arkansas.  SFA (11-11, 6-4) lost 72-63 Thursday night at league-leading Sam Houston State.
 
"It's great to be back at home. Our fans are very supportive, our students are back on campus now for the first time since before Christmas, and that combination really provides a lift for us in Prather Coliseum," said McConathy. "Our guys are playing so hard and we were very, very close to going 3-1 in those last four road games. This conference is incredibly competitive this year. The homecourt advantage will help."
 
While down for at least a few more days to eight scholarship players, the Demons are getting significant contributions throughout the roster. NSU is the only Southland team to have five players averaging at least 10 points in conference games.
 
That fivesome includes one inactive Demon, freshman point guard Josh Boyd (10.8 points per SLC game), who is out for another few days following an emergency appendectomy that has benched him the last three contests.
 
The Demons are hoping leading scorer Zeek Woodley (17.6 per game, 70 points away from breaking the school's career scoring record) may return in a week or two from a broken wrist sustained Dec. 19. Sophomore forward Malik Metoyer is out for the year after injuring a knee during the Christmas break, leaving NSU without a combined 31 points of offense.
 
But explosive performances have helped compensate. Four Demons have registered 20-point nights in league play, led by senior forward Sabri Thompson, who has done so four times, pouring in 24 points Thursday night while hitting 7 of 12 on 3-pointers. He is making 53 percent of his 3-pointers and averaging 20.6 points in the last six games.
 
Junior transfer Iziahiah Sweeney posted a career-best 20 points at UCA, continuing a surge. The 6-3 swingman has averaged 13.6 points and 6 rebounds in his last five games.
 
Junior point guard Devonte Hall had 8 assists without a turnover Thursday, moving him into a tie for eighth on NSU's career assists list, and is scoring 13.7 points per game in Southland competition.
 
Thompson tops the Southland-only scoring list with an 18.0 average, followed by Hall, senior forward Tra'von Joseph (10.8) and Boyd, and Sweeney at 10.4.
 
SFA has three double-figure scorers:  Ivan Canete (12.0), T.J. Holyfield (11.2) and Leon Gilmore III (10.2). The Lumberjacks are 5-0 at home in Southland games, 1-4 on the road in league play, and have won five of their last seven overall. Three of their league games, two wins, have been decided by three points or less.
 
The doubleheader will be carried on the Demon Sports Network, flagshipped by 100.7 FM KZBL in Natchitoches and including 92.1 KSYR FM in Shreveport and 103.1 FM KWLA in Sabine Parish.
 
The Demons stay at home to host Houston Baptist next Thursday evening in another Southland doubleheader.