NATCHITOCHES – In many ways, the only difference in the Northwestern State women's basketball team's first two games are the roles.
 
Both games feature a higher-division opponent facing a lower one. Both feature a team bent on proving its mettle against a bigger name.
 
The one change: This time, the Lady Demons are the team that has to be on alert for an inspired performance by their opponent. 
 
When Northwestern State (0-1) opens its 2018-19 home schedule at noon Monday against LeTourneau (0-0), it will do so as the hunted. 
 
The game can be heard on 100.7 FM KZBL, through streaming audio at www.NSUDemons.comor through the new Northwestern State Athletics mobile app, which is available for download in the Apple Store or on Google Play. Tony Taglavore, in his 11^thseason, will handle the play-by-play call of the game.
 
"There's no pressure on them," third-year head coach Jordan Dupuy said. "They want to come in and play well. We always tell our team in this scenario that these are players who want to play at this level. They're going to play with a chip on their shoulder, with something to prove. 
 
"This is their Final Four, their Super Bowl, their World Series. This is the opportunity to prove they belong at this level."
 
While Monday marks LeTourneau's season opener, it is game No. 2 for Northwestern State, which started its season with a 98-53 loss at Arkansas this past Friday.
 
The Lady Demons started the game quickly, hitting their first four shots before Arkansas' depth proved too much, but the 53 points were the most score by a Lady Demons' team against a Power Five conference opponent since a 90-60 loss at Texas on Dec. 20, 2013.
 
That same scenario is one that could play out inside Prather Coliseum, especially if Northwestern State continues to improve from a team health standpoint. However, Dupuy has cautioned his team not to overlook the Division III Yellowjackets. 
 
The teams have met each season since 2014-15. Northwestern State has won all four of those games by an average of 31.8 points per game.
 
"You have to be sure your preparation is the same as it is for Arkansas and Oklahoma in the game sandwiched between those two," Dupuy said. "It's our home opener, and you'll have 500 to 600 impressionable personalities. You hope they'll want to come back and watch us again. It's important for us to do what we need to do in preparation."
 
The "impressionable personalities" Dupuy spoke of are a group of elementary school children who will attend Monday's game. 
 
It is the fourth straight season Northwestern State has hosted an Elementary School Day game with LeTourneau providing the opposition each time. 
 
"It's about getting as many people here to see these girls play," Dupuy said. "They've done such a great job in their preparation, and their reward needs to be filling up Prather."