NEW ORLEANS – After a grueling non-conference schedule that included seven games against top 100 teams in the NET rankings, Northwestern State hasn't had any problem competing with Southland Conference opponents.

The issue has been finishing games as the Demons have been outplayed in the final minutes in each of their last three losses.

NSU (4-15, 0-2 SLC) will get a chance to avenge one of those losses Saturday when the Demons head to New Orleans (9-8, 2-0 SLC) for a 4 p.m. tip at Lakefront Arena.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ or can be heard on the radio (94.9 FM), on nsudemons.com or on the NSU app.

Fans attending the game will need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result in the last 72 hours.

The Demons are 1-3 in games decided by five points or less, which includes an 80-79 loss to UNO in the finale of the SLC Tip-Off event on Jan. 8.

"We need to figure it out because we're a lot better than what we've showed," said NSU coach Mike McConathy. "We have good guys who are talented, but we're still fighting to find our identity.

"We're too passive in certain situations, passing up good plays trying to make the perfect play. It's a struggle right now, but these guys are out here battling."

NSU is on a three-game skid that started with the UNO loss in which the Privateers outscored the Demons 7-2 over the final 4:40 of an 80-79 loss. The Demons had three shots to win on the final possession, but all missed in a game where the Demons shot 50 percent overall.

While both teams struggled from the floor down the stretch, UNO sunk 22 of its 30 free throws led by Derek St. Helaire (31 points including 13-16 free throws). NSU attempted just nine free throws and made eight.

But the offensive droughts in the latter stages of games have been equally problematic. In Thursday's 69-58 loss to Nicholls, the Colonels outscored NSU 17-6 in the final 9:45 of the game after the Demons tied the game at 52-52.

NSU built a double-digit lead at Southeastern on Jan. 15 with 10 minutes remaining, but the Lions clawed their way back and outscored the Demons 11-3 in the final three minutes.

Poor free-throw shooting plagued NSU in that contest, making just 6-17 in the second half.

UNO is on a different kind of streak, winning its last five, the second game in that streak being its NSU victory.

The Privateers knocked off Nicholls and Southeastern to start league play, which includes erasing a 14-point SLU lead in the second half.

St. Helaire and Troy Green are each averaging 19 points in league action.

NSU freshman Kendal Coleman continues to lead the Demons with nearly 15 points and nine rebounds per game, including three doubles doubles against the four SLC opponents that he's faced. The Captain Shreve High product has eight overall double doubles this season.

Fellow second-year freshman Carvell Teasett dumped 17 points on Nicholls on the strength of 5-11 3-point shooting, the sixth time in eight games he's made at least five 3-pointers.

The Demons will attempt to press their advantage in the post with Coleman and senior Larry Owens among others.

Owens has scored double figures in each of the past three games, including 12 points and nine rebounds in the first UNO meeting.

"Larry has been unbelievable in some recent stretches, and he's really battled," McConathy said. "He played more minutes against Nicholls than he's used to, but he's a guy that's given us some really good minutes."

The Demons might have deepened their post group with freshman Shaun Riley's appearance Thursday. He compiled a career-high five rebounds and two blocks in seven minutes to pair with solid defensive play.

Coleman contributed 20 points and 12 rebounds, one of his three 20-point games this season.

NSU outrebounded UNO by seven in the first get together and has beaten four of its five SLC opponents on the glass and 11 of 19 overall foes.

UNO's win earlier this season gave coach Mark Slessinger a slight 8-7 edge over McConathy since the Privateers joined the SLC in 2013. Slessinger spent a decade on McConathy's NSU staff (2000-11).

The Demons are 4-4 in New Orleans, but the Privateers have taken four of the last five at home.