NATCHITOCHES—Highlighted by one of the most difficult non-conference schedules in the country, the Northwestern State women's basketball team released its 2025-26 basketball schedule Thursday, head coach Anna Nimz announced.

At least four non-conference contests come against power conference competition and the Demons can face as many as five.

That doesn't even count Wichita State, which is in the American Athletic Conference.

Those possible five regular season non-conference games against power conference teams would be the most in program history. The last time the Demons had four such contests was in 2018-19.

"Our non-conference schedule is an absolute gauntlet," Nimz said. "I would put our schedule up as one of the toughest in the nation, both on the women's and men's side. Our girls are going to take on all four power conferences: Big XII, Big 10, ACC and the SEC. Two of the four teams made the NCAA tournament in 2025.

"Along with that, we are taking on a very talented Wichita State in the America Conference."

If NSU plays five power teams, the team it plays instead of Nebraska for a second time is Horizon League power Purdue Fort Wayne, which won 27 games a season ago and reached the tournament final before falling to Green Bay.

NSU wastes no time challenging itself, starting off the season with a road trip to Nebraska on Nov. 3.

It is the first of three straight games to begin the regular season away from Natchitoches, also playing Wichita State (Nov. 6) before a trip to Phog Allen Fieldhouse to play Kansas (Nov. 9) from the Big 12.

The Demons come home for a pair of games at Prather Coliseum against non-Division I schools against Champion Christian (Nov. 15) and Arkansas Baptist (Nov. 21), their only home non-conference games of the season.

A trip to the state of Florida for the Emerald Coast Classic awaits the Demons on Nov. 24, where they start with Virginia before playing either Nebraska again or Purdue Fort Wayne the following day.

NSU wraps up its non-conference slate with a trip to Texas on Dec. 17.

"Our non-conference schedule will present its challenges," Nimz said. "But we will be able to play at the highest level, in tough environments, tough situations and against incredible competition. There will be a lot of quick growth that will happen throughout the course of our non-conference that will better prepare us for SLC play.

"We are ready to embrace the challenge and understand that this will only make us stronger."

Prior to the trip to Texas, the Demons play their first two SLC games, road contests against Southeastern Louisiana (Dec. 7) and McNeese (Dec. 15).

NSU wraps up the calendar year at home with its first two SLC games at Prather Coliseum against two perennial powers in the league in Lamar (Dec. 21) and Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 31). That stretch begins a string of four of five contests at home, also playing UTRGV (Jan. 8) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Jan. 10). A trip to Nicholls on Jan. 3 is the only road game during that stretch.

That duration at home is immediately followed by three consecutive matches on the road and a string of six of eight away from Natchitoches, beginning with a trip to Houston Christian on Jan. 15.

NSU also plays at UIW (Jan. 17), SFA (Jan. 22), New Orleans (Jan. 31), Lamar (Feb. 5) and East Texas A&M (Feb. 7). The Demons play East Texas A&M (Jan. 24) and Nicholls (Jan. 29) at Prather Coliseum to split up the two three-game road trips.

The Demons have a chance to gain momentum as the SLC Tournament approaches, as they have a four-game homestand, beginning with McNeese (Feb. 12). They also play reigning regular season champ Southeastern Louisiana (Feb. 14), UIW (Feb. 19) and Houston Christian (Feb. 21).

NSU finishes the road portion of the regular season with contests against UTRGV (Feb. 26) and AMCC (Feb. 28) before wrapping up the regular season at Prather Coliseum against UNO on March 3.

The SLC Tournament returns to Lake Charles, beginning on March 9 and goes until March 12.

Season tickets for Northwestern basketball are on sale now with packages starting at $135 for general admission. All season-ticket packages are good for all 27 men's and women's home games this season. For more information, visit NSUTickets.com, call 318-357-4268 or visit the athletic ticket office inside the Donald G. Kelly Athletic Complex Fieldhouse.