NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State didn't find the optimal gear Sunday but the Demons cruised to an 86-65 victory over Champion Christian in their last contest before the 18-game Southland Conference season tips off Wednesday at home.
 
After a 12-day layoff, and without starting point guard C.J. Jones for the first time in 31 games, NSU (5-8) won its third straight as junior LaTerrance Reed drained five 3-pointers in a game-high 17-point outing. Senior center Ishmael Lane was the only other NSU player scoring in double digits, posting 13 points to go with a game-best eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
 
The Demons used all 13 available players for at least seven minutes, with 12 scoring. Nobody played more than the 23 minutes of starting point guard John Norvel, who had five points, four assists, no turnovers, two steals and a block.
 
"It wasn't pretty, but we'll definitely take it. We were little tentative in a lot of areas," said 20^th-year head coach Mike McConathy.
 
"We never could get going. We weren't in synch after the Christmas holidays, and (struggled) going without C.J. Jones. He's been the guy driving the bus for a year now."
 
Jones is idled by a separated right (shooting) shoulder suffered Dec. 18 in a win over Louisiana College. He is expected to be out for 1-3 more weeks.
 
Norvel, a savvy first-year sophomore walk-on from Salmen who has been the Demons' backup point guard all season, got his first collegiate start while heralded true freshman Brian White logged 21 minutes in his second game with NSU. White turned an ankle Oct. 29, reaggravated the injury after 11 minutes in his collegiate debut Dec. 1 at Texas-El Paso, and contributed four points, four rebounds, three assists, no turnovers and a steal in 21 minutes Sunday afternoon.
 
"John Norvel and Brian White did good jobs," said McConathy. "We had no turnovers from the point guard position today and they combined for nine points, seven assists and three steals."
 
NSU never trailed and led by as much as 26. The Demons suffered 10 turnovers and shot just 39 percent in the first half, but still opened a 39-27 advantage on Norvel's 3-pointer at the buzzer off a nice feed from White in the lane.
 
Reed opened the second half with his fourth 3-pointer off a Norvel assist as NSU scored the first seven points to go up by 19. The Tigers (5-6, playing the game as an exhibition) never got closer than 13 afterward, with the spread ranging between 17-26 points in the final 10:25.
 
The Demons sank 55 percent of their shots after halftime, finishing at 46 percent overall for the second straight outing. NSU sank 11 of 28 (39 percent) behind the arc, its second-best performance from distance this season. The 86 points and 16 assists also were second highest this season.
 
 "We only had two turnovers in the second half after not taking very good care of the ball in the first 20 minutes. We had assists on half of our baskets, and that's very big for us to move the basketball effectively," said McConathy.
 
"My biggest concern is we didn't play with the passion we need to channel. With the conference schedule beginning Wednesday, we're going to need to play with relentless effort and we never got there today."
 
NSU opens the Southland schedule with three home games, two this week. Defending conference co-champion Nicholls (7-6) visits Wednesday night at 6:30 with McNeese (4-9) coming to Prather Coliseum next Saturday afternoon at 3.