BEAUMONT, Texas—The stretch does not get any easier for Northwestern State, as it hits the road for the second of two this weekend when it travels to Lamar on Monday.

Tip-off is at 4 p.m. at the Montagne Center.

The Demons (8-9, 5-3) aim to start a new winning streak after losing back-to-back tight games to rivals Southeastern Louisiana and on the road against Stephen F. Austin.

Now, after facing SLU last week, Northwestern State faces the other undefeated team in the Southland Conference, Lamar (13-4, 8-0), which is coming in on an eight-game winning streak.

"Lamar has been at the top over the course of our time here in the Southland, head coach Anna Nimz said. "(Lamar head coach) Aqua (Franklin) does an incredible job with her group and packs a strong 1-2 punch with (Sabria) Dean and (Akasha) Davis. Our group is ready to compete at a high level and get after the Cardinals."

Despite the tough two-point loss at SFA last time out, Mya Blake had a game to remember, pouring in a career-high 37 points, the most by a Demon since Angela Simpson dropped in 45 in the SLC Tournament against Texas State on March 7, 1996, and the most in the league this season.

After Blake's huge game, the Demons have the top two scorers in the conference during SLC play with Vernell Atamah (17.9) leading the way and Blake right behind her (17.6). Atamah's 16 points at SFA last game is her 14^th consecutive contest in double figures.

The game features five of the top 13 scorers in SLC play. While Atamah and Blake are 1-2, Lamar has Dean (15.4) in fifth, Davis (13.3) in ninth and Jacei Denley (12.8) in 13^th.

In the past three games, including Lamar, the Demons face or have faced the top three offensive teams in the SLC. After holding down the high-power Ladyjacks offense to 67 points and less than 40 percent shooting and under 30 percent from deep, they play the team that ranks No. 2 offense and No. 1 in defense in points per game.

It is strength vs. strength, as the Cardinals enter the contest shooting 48.7 percent from the field in league play, which is tops in the SLC, while the Demons lead the league in opponents field goal percentage during conference games, holding opponents to just 34 percent from the field.

Overall, Lamar is shooting 46.7 percent from the field, which is 24^th nationally, while Northwestern State is 22^nd in the country, allowing teams to shoot 36.3 percent from the field.

From deep, Lamar shoots 37,4 percent, compared to Northwestern State surrendering just 21.3 percent from behind the arc during league play.

Overall, the Demons allow teams to shoot it at a 24.1 percent clip from deep, which is seventh nationally.

The Cardinals have not been just winning in SLC play, Lamar has been dominating teams, winning by 22.5 points per game, the best margin in league play. In its five home games, it has won by 25 points per game.

Following the game, the Demons return to Natchitoches for the first conference matchup with UTRGV on Jan. 30 before hitting the road for two more.