STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Northwestern State is coming off back-to-back confidence-building home wins. On Wednesday it will look to maintain that trend against a redemption-seeking Tarleton State team.
 
Tipoff against the Texans is scheduled for 6 p.m. from Wisdom Gym and can be seen on ESPN+. Free, live streaming audio will also be available on www.nsudemons.com with Tyler Moody providing play-by-play.
 
The Lady Demons (4-4) shot a season-best 51 percent from the field in the win against ULM, including a 53 percent effort from beyond the arc. It was the first time since the 2018-19 season they had percentages greater than 50 percent in both categories, building directly on the performance from the previous win against Champion Christian.
 
"It was imperative as we move into our final two nonconference games that our girls found confidence in themselves and in one another," head coach Anna Nimz said. "The last two games allowed them to grow together and celebrate each other's success. They have seen what they are capable of when they work hard for 40 minutes."
 
The confidence and comfortability within the offense, for all players, was demonstrated by a pair of near triple-doubles in each of the past two games. Shelby Rayner was four assists shy of accomplishing the feat against Champion Christian and Alecia Whyte fell just two assists shy against ULM.
 
Sharna Ayres benefited from the quality ball movement and open looks to score a career high 19 points on a 6-for-9 effort from the field on a 5-for-7 mark from behind the 3-point line. She was the sixth different player this season to lead the Lady Demons in scoring in a game.
 
NSU enters the game against a Tarleton team that is no doubt looking to right the anomalous outing it had in a 65-45 loss at Eastern Washington.
 
The Texans shot a season-low 25 percent from the field, which was 18 points lower than their season total of 43 percent entering the game. In games a season ago immediately following one where it shot less than 30 percent, the Texans averaged more than 70 points with a 45 percent effort from the field (three games).
 
"They are a very good team on both ends of the ball," Nimz said. "They are moving the ball well, connecting on their outside shots and have a great inside presence. They are a very big matchup, but one I believe our girls are ready for."
 
Tarleton is 4-0 in home games this season, led by transfer guard Teresa Da Silva who ranks third in the WAC is scoring at 16.6 points per game with 3.8 assists a night.