NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State's basketball team hopefully got the pause that refreshes.
 
A well-timed open date on Wednesday night gave the young, short-handed Demons both the opportunity to polish some warts and ample time to prepare for Saturday's 3 p.m. Southland Conference matchup with Abilene Christian in Prather Coliseum.
 
While playing with only two veterans who were in Southland Conference games a year ago, NSU (3-12 overall, 0-4 in the Southland) has taken its last three conference outings down to the wire. A 64-56 loss last Saturday to preseason favorite Stephen F. Austin was marred by 48 percent free throw accuracy.
 
The fact that the Demons lost once in the final second (67-65 at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi) and played at McNeese and against SFA down to the final minute, despite 36 percent overall aim coupled with 49 percent at the free throw line, encourages veteran coach Mike McConathy as his team prepares to meet the Wildcats (11-7, 3-2).
 
"I see a lot of synergy. I see them being united in what they're trying to do, playing harder for longer periods of time. Sometimes that's difficult to do coming out of the holiday break but our guys are responding well.

"We compete. We play every play," he said. "We're playing differently than we've played maybe in my 19 seasons here. We're not shooting the ball well, we're not out getting steals and a lot of points off turnovers, but we are fighting so hard.
 
"All the hard things, we're doing pretty good. The easy things, we're struggling with. A free throw is 15 feet, unguarded. This week has given us all the opportunity we could want, with no classes to attend, to get shots up and find our stroke at the free throw line," said McConathy.
 
Since settling down after shakeups in the roster before the conference opener Dec. 28, the Demons have relied on their two veterans and freshman point guard C.J. Jones. Senior swingman Iziahiah Sweeney has averages of 13.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in league games, with junior center Ishmael Lane at 13.0 and 8.5. Jones is scoring 10.5 per game. 
 
"Ish and Iziahiah are no doubt our cornerstones," said McConathy. "C.J. Jones is playing well and is adapting his game to what's available to him for our best benefit. He's doing what we want him to do. Other young guys like Brandon Hutton and Darian Dixon have stepped up at times and when we have more of them emerge with consistent production, we'll be able to get over the top."
 
Lane scored a career-high 32 points last year in a 76-72 loss at ACU. The Wildcats have won the last three meetings with the Demons.
 
ACU's 82-74 win Wednesday night at Houston Baptist was its biggest margin in five Southland contests. The other four were settled by a total of 11 points.
 
Last year's Southland Freshman of the Year, 6-9 center Jalone Friday, tops the balanced Wildcats lineup with a 13.8 scoring average, including 23 at HBU. He has fouled out of each conference game. Guards Jaren Lewis (13.6), Tevin Foster (12.6) and Jaylen Franklin (9.8 scoring average, 4.9 assists per game), the 2016 Southland Freshman of the Year, are a productive backcourt.
 
After enduring a 38-day span between home games, the Demons welcomed being back in Prather Coliseum last Saturday. McConathy believes the young squad will benefit from a homecourt advantage.
 
"I'm very hopeful we'll do a much better job being at home again. Having three of our next five at home presents some opportunity," he said.

The game broadcast with Patrick Netherton will be carried on 97.5 FM KDBH in Natchitoches, and available free of charge at NSUDemons.com.
 
Next week, NSU goes to Sam Houston State Wednesday night and Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday, before home contests Jan. 24 and 27.