NATCHITOCHES – After a short break, Northwestern State returns to action in a "new season" as the 18-game Southland Conference schedule begins on Friday afternoon.
 
The Lady Demons (4-6) open league play at home for the first time in three years playing their sixth conference game during the month of December as the host preseason favorite Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (5-6).
 
Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. from Prather Coliseum and can be seen on ESPN+. Tickets for the game are available at www.nsutickets.com. 
 
NSU closed nonconference play on Dec. 19 in Tulsa with a strong second-half showing against the sharp-shooting Hurricanes. With a quick practice the Wednesday following the game, the Lady Demons then enjoyed a break for Christmas and a chance to, in many ways, hit the reset button.
 
"I think anytime you can go home, or go with teammates to their homes, is a great opportunity to fill your bucket," head coach Anna Nimz said. "I'm glad the girls and staff got a short break to refuel and refresh."
 
The solid second half against Tulsa, where NSU shot 48 percent from the field and made seven of its nine 3-point field goals in the game, was a welcome way to go into the time off as the Lady Demons turn the page to conference opponents.
 
The Australia duo of Shelby Rayner and Sharna Ayres were key parts of the second half against Tulsa and have been growing more and more confident in their games over the past few weeks.
 
Ayres has scored in double figures in each of the past three games for NSU and shooting an astounding 60 percent from beyond the arc during that time. She has made three or more 3-pointers in all three games and averaging 14.3 points.
 
Rayner put in 18 against Tulsa, her second highest scoring total of the season, and continues to improve her play running the offense when she is on the ball.
 
Both will be an important factor in NSU's matchup with the Islanders who enter the game with statistically one of the best defenses through the nonconference season, holding opponents to 57.2 points per game.
 
"It will be important to come out quick and be the aggressor," Nimz said about the first five minutes of the game against Corpus. "We need to set the tone early."
 
The Islanders return a pair of all-conference players from a year ago with lots of game experience. Seniors Alecia Westbrook and Makinna Serrata sit at one and two on the team in both scoring and rebounding this year. Add in junior point guard Violeta Verano who averages 7.3 points and a conference-best 3.4 assists per game and the Islanders have the personnel to live up to their preseason billing.
 
But even with the start of a new season, the mantra for Nimz is the same as it has always been for the Lady Demons to have the success they want, no matter the opponent.
 
"Every game so far this year and moving forward the keys will be similar," Nimz said. "Win the rebounding war and take care of the ball. If we can do those two things, anyone can be beaten. No, it's not guaranteed, but it sure gives you a chance."
 
NSU has won four games this year when it had more rebounds than its opponent and three with fewer turnovers. The Lady Demons are undefeated in seven games under Nimz where both criteria are met in the same game.