NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State men's basketball team is coming off its longest breather of the season with six days between contests to recalibrate from a grueling schedule and to take final exams.

The Demons (1-8) next test comes in the form of Dallas Christian on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Prather Coliseum.

Fans who bring an unwrapped toy to the game will receive a free popcorn and drink from the concession stand as NSU continues its toy drive across campus.

Demons unable to watch the game in person can tune in via radio at 94.9 FM The River, or an audio stream at nsudemons.com or on the NSU app.

NSU is attempting to snap a six-game losing streak which includes two games against American Athletic Conference members SMU and No. 15 Houston, two losses to Sun Belt member ULM and tough defeats at the hands of Stephen F. Austin (Western Athletic Conference) and Louisiana Tech (Conference USA).

Four of NSU's eight losses have come against Power Six opponents (Oklahoma and Tulsa), which doesn't include contests against regional powers La. Tech and SFA and two against ULM.

NSU is just one of six teams in the country to schedule at least seven games against Power Five or significant mid-major foes, joining Alcorn State (nine), Texas Southern (nine), Alabama State, Florida A&M and Coppin State.

"I'd say it's the toughest schedule in the country," said NSU coach Mike McConathy. "We've learned things about ourselves in each of these games, but we haven't played many games against 'like' opponents.

"Last Saturday's game against ULM was a 'like' opponent, and we competed more consistently and played better than the first meeting, but we can't continue to have lapses against well-coached teams like ULM."

Five Demons scored in double figures for the first time this season highlighted by freshman Kendal Coleman's second double-double of the year (18 points and 10 rebounds) in the 84-71 defeat at ULM.

Sophomore guard Jalen King turned in a career-high 12 points, junior guard Brian White had a season-high 14 points, senior guard LaTerrance Reed had 11 and Monroe native Larry Owens contributed 10 points.

But the flip side is NSU recorded just six other points on a team that usually has a deep and productive bench.

One major focus during the break is to limit turnovers that create easy opportunities for opponents. ULM cashed in 21 points off 16 NSU turnovers on Saturday, which was an improvement from the 25 turnovers in the first meeting with the Warhawks.

But after committing just 46 turnovers in the first four games, NSU has 94 in the last five as the Demons have increased their pace and played against more aggressive defenses.

Dallas Christian, a member of the National Christian Colleges Athletics Association and the Association of Christian College Athletics, will be playing NSU for the first time in their history.

The Crusaders are officially 0-2 in games against non-scholarship opponents like themselves before Friday night's competition.

But DCC is 1-9 in exhibition games against NCAA/NAIA members, although the Demons will be DCC's first Division I opponent.

NSU's win this season came against Champion Christian, who topped Dallas Christian by 14 points.

The Demons play at home two Saturdays in a row with Dallas Christian and then Southwestern Adventist, which will be their only home games for the next month, returning on Jan. 22 to host New Orleans.