NATCHITOCHES—Following a quick one-game trip to begin Southland Conference play, the Northwestern State women's basketball team welcomes an old conference rival in its final game at Prather Coliseum in 2024.

The Demons (3-5) host Central Arkansas (5-2) in Natchitoches Saturday at 1 p.m. for the first time since UCA left the SLC to go to the Atlantic Sun.

With this game being the last women's basketball home game prior to Christmas, we are having a toy drive at the game. People can bring new, unwrapped toys to the game. Northwestern State is partnering with Natchitoches Jaycees, who will distribute toys to local children.

In addition to the toy drive, there will be a Christmas sweater competition for all fans at the game with prizes awarded in different categories.

That last game at Prather is a special one for Northwestern State head coach Anna Nimz, as the 50-45 victory that afternoon in March 2021 was her first win as the Demons head coach.

Last time out, the Demons suffered a heartbreaker in the conference opener at UIW, falling on a buzzer beater in another close contest against the Cardinals. But prior to UIW's shot, Mya Blake made a tough runner to tie the score with less than a half minute remaining.

"Mya is not overly tall, but she plays with a 7-foot mentality," head coach Anna Nimz said. "There is not anybody who scares her. She is just going to get in there and she is a strong-bodied kid. She just has a desire to win. Mya wants to win at anything she does and that shows in her ability to take things over."

Expect a lot of 3-pointers to be launched, as the game features two of the top 25 teams in the nation in triple tries per game.

The Demons check in at No. 22, attempting 26.8 3-pointers a game. Four players have made double digit 3-pointers, led by Mya Blake's 19. Two more—Vernell Atamah (16) and Sharna Ayres (15)—have drained at least 15 this season.

Blake and Zhane Thompson shoot at least 40 percent from deep, led by Thompson's 44.1 (15-for-34).

The Sugar Bears rank just behind the Demons, attempting 26.5 3-pointers per game, which ranks 24^th.

Unlike Northwestern State, which has 61 of its 66 made triples by four players, UCA spreads out its made 3-pointers, as eight players have made at least four from deep.

Not only are Jade Upshaw and Leah Mafua the two most prolific 3-point shooters on the Sugar Bears, but they are also each making them at least at a 43 percent clip.

The senior guard duo have combined to make 30 3-pointers with them making a combined 44.1 percent.

Northwestern State has been one of the best teams at defending the 3-pointer, holding teams to a 25.7 percent mark, which ranks 46^th nationally. Only Tarleton State (8-of-17) shot better than 34 percent from deep in any one game against the Demons defense.

"UCA makes things happen," Nimz said. "They either shoot a 3-pointer or shoot in the paint and are incredibly high-percentage both ways they go. Not only are we going to have to go out and guard the perimeter really well, we are also going to have to really shore up our defense and get people out of the paint. We'll have to be disciplined defensively."

Not only is Upshaw a prolific 3-point shooter, but she leads the team in scoring (16.7), field goal percentage for players with at least 25 field goal attempts (52.9) and rebounding (5.6).

UCA is a veteran-laden team, as the top four scorers on the team are seniors, as well as 72.8 percent of the total scoring for the Sugar Bears.

The Demons hit the road for the rest of 2024 with visits to South Florida (Tuesday) and Houston Christian (Dec. 29) before returning home to begin 2025 with McNeese (Jan. 2).