NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State is continuing to put itself in the best positions to win games, and that is coming at the best possible time of the season.
 
As the Demons (9-12, 5-5) embark on the home stretch of the season with a log jam of five teams all within a game of each other in the standings, each game takes on an increased level of importance.
 
They take the third best scoring defense, second best field goal shooting percentage and five-game streak of winning the rebounding battle into another pivotal game on Thursday night against New Orleans (8-13, 5-5).
 
Tipoff of the first of two home games this weekend for the Demons is set for 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+. NSU will then host top-ranked Southeastern on Saturday afternoon as part of the second straight home doubleheader that will also serve as the annual Fork Cancer day at Prather Coliseum.
 
NSU has outrebounded their opponents in five straight conference games for the first time since 2007-08. They are securing and average of 41.6 boards per game with an 8.8 average margin of advantage in those games. Combine that with the intensity of their defensive effort all season and it's no surprise that they have been in prime position to win games.
 
They are a handful of possessions away from bringing a five-game winning streak into this weekend's schedule thanks to their efforts on the glass.
 
"Rebounding is always one of our game keys as I'm sure it is every coaches," head coach Anna Nimz said. "To me rebounding comes down to toughness and grit and that speaks volumes of our character and how they're letting that shine and buying into the more physical part of the game. 
 
"We've been doing well on the defensive end but getting better and better at those offensive rebounds. Every week they are hearing and seeing those corrections and improvements we're trying to make and committing to them."
 
After a stretch of five straight 40 rebound game earlier in the season, tying the longest stretch since 2011-12, the Demons have had three 40-board games during the current run, after one instance in the seven games prior.
 
Demon sharpshooter Sharna Ayres has seen the biggest jump in rebound total after picking up her second double-double in the past five games and her third double-digit rebounding total during that stretch as well.
 
"A lot of them have been defensive rebounds but that's ok," Ayres said with a laugh. "I think I've just been able to be in the perfect position every time. The bigs go and hit their player hard and I'll box out whoever is behind me, and the ball has just been finding me. And if not and my player doesn't go rebound, I have to go chase it."
 
She now leads the team with 5.4 rebounds per game and averaging 9.0 a contest over the past five, all while continuing to lead the league in 3-point shooting.
 
With every game the ability to control the ball on a missed shot will play a key role, but even more so against a team that ranks last in the Southland in field goal shooting like New Orleans. Simply put, the Privateer miss shots, but are capable of making just as many if presented good opportunities.
 
In the first meeting two weeks ago the Demons produced one of their best defensive performances of the season holding the Privateers to just 43 points on the way to the largest margin of victory in a conference game for NSU in 10 years.
 
"We played really well the last time we saw them," Nimz said. "Both offensively and defensively it was a seamless effort. Knocking down shots always helps the cause. But I think a couple things were out of character for UNO in that game. So you can't expect that same thing as a response. They're a good team with a good coach and they're playing hard with a lot of talent and a lot of defensive pressure."
 
NSU held junior center Nora Francois scoreless in the game and 0-for-4 from the field. Since then she is averaging 14.5 points per game and turned in her second career double-double on Saturday against UIW with 15 points and pulling in 11 rebounds.
 
Fifth-year senior DeArica Pryor leads the team scoring 12.0 points per game and put in 27 the last time to two teams met a year ago in Natchitoches in NSU's nail-biting 82-81 overtime win.