BEAUMONT, Texas – Northwestern State didn't have the start it wanted to Southland Conference play, but the improvement in intensity and overall execution was a step in the right direction.
 
The Lady Demons (3-6, 0-1) look to continue that improvement on Saturday as they travel to defending SLC regular season champion Lamar. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. with live coverage links available through www.nsudemons.com.
 
"We did a lot of good things and were tough for the most part, but towards the end when it counts the most, we didn't finish," fourth-year head coach Jordan Dupuy said following a conference-opening 79-69 loss to Sam Houston. "You've got to finish plays."
 
NSU had its second-best shooting performance of the season against Sam Houston, despite missing 12 layups and going 1-for-9 from the field over the final five minutes of the game. The late slump turned a game tied at 64 into a 10-point win for the visitors from Huntsville.
 
The sour finish marred an otherwise pleasing performance from the Lady Demons, who responded well in the second and third quarters after a mild start to the contest.
 
"Extremely proud of how we responded in that second quarter," Dupuy said. "We were down 19-8 in the first and then scored 28 points in the second, which is really good for us. We shot it extremely well there.
 
Kalen (Green) and Nakaylis (Washington) did a great job giving us a spark off the bench. We did really well in the third quarter as well, just weren't able to finish it off in the fourth."
 
Hoping to build off the success they saw against Sam Houston, the Lady Demons board the bus for their first road conference game of the season at Lamar.
 
"They lost a lot from last year," Dupuy said. "So, when that happens you've got to build your confidence. It's a new coaching staff, a new way of doing things, a new culture and you can see it's starting to progress every single day."
 
The Cardinals (5-5, 1-0) knocked off Southeastern Louisiana on the road to open their SLC schedule on Wednesday 65-57. The team's top scorer on the year, Amber Vidal, poured in 21 points in the game, her second 20-point outing of the season.
 
Lamar has won three games in a row and four of its last five entering Saturday's matchup with NSU.
 
"This is a team that's going to hit their peak during the conference season and we've go to be ready for it," Dupuy said. "Any road game is a challenge, but we have to continue to make sure that we win every day and the results will take care of themselves."
 
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