NATCHITOCHES – As thousands celebrate in the Christmas capital of Louisiana, Northwestern State women's basketball prepares to host Champion Christian on Faith and Family Day at Prather Coliseum.

On the biggest weekend of the year in the city of Natchitoches, the Lady Demons (2-4) will look to continue the celebration begun on Saturday against the Lady Tigers in the first game of an NSU basketball doubleheader.

Tipoff is set for the women is scheduled for 1 p.m. with the NSU men set to take on Southern Miss at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Both games can be seen on ESPN+.

"There's no better way to end the weekend than in Prather Coliseum watching back-to-back games," head coach Anna Nimz said. "I'm excited for our girls to get out on the court, play, build some confidence and have some fun together. But I'm also excited to turn around and watch the men. They're doing a tremendous job and opening people's eyes. Just a great day to come out and watch two great games."

On Faith and Family Day, fans can purchase tickets for just $5 if they bring a new, unwrapped toy donation to contribute to NSU's annual toy drive. The discounted $5 tickets are also available for those that mention their church at the time of purchase.

The Lady Demons celebrated a step in the right direction on Wednesday despite the loss on the scoreboard to #23 Oklahoma. After coming into the game averaging 21 turnovers per game, NSU only coughed it up 12 times against the Sooners, the fewest in a game this season and tied for the second fewest in a game the past three seasons.

"We have to celebrate those kinds of small victories," Nimz said. "I thought we made smarter passes and played through one another. It's about controlling one thing and we get that secure and now we move on and we have to keep getting better at something game by game and it'll eventually all come together."

NSU continues to build together on the offensive side to match the energy and determination on the defensive side that leads the conference in forced turnovers per game.

The Lady Demons have forced 18 or more turnovers in each of the last four games and 20 or more in two straight games. They outscored Arkansas Baptist and Oklahoma 50-16 in points off turnovers across the past two games.

The defense will be an important key for NSU as it faces one of the best teams in the NCCAA.

In the only other meeting between the two teams a season ago, the Lady Tigers played even with NSU through the first two quarters, going to the half tied at 44. The Lady Demons needed some scoring spurts and solid free throw shooting to come away with the 12-point win against an experience-laden team.

NAIA transfer Kamryn Gentry has been a force for the Lady Tigers averaging a double-double on the year, along with two blocked shots per game.

"You have to approach every single game with the same level of respect for your opponent and the same level of focus," Nimz said. "No matter who you're playing any team can get beat and any team can win.

"We've talked about that, but the focus is still on us in this three-game segment. They (Champion Christian) do a really good job but if we can control ourselves, our discipline and our effort I think things will take care of themselves."