NATCHITOCHES—When a team hasn't played at home in two weeks, what's another five days?

NSU (9-9, 6-4) plays its first game in seven days after the postponement of its game with East Texas A&M thanks to the winter storm affecting much of the country. It is also its first game in 19 days at home when it welcomes Nicholls (10-8, 6-5) to Prather Coliseum on Thursday.

Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m.

It is blackout Prather night, as well as Greek Night, so be sure to come and wear black for the game. It is sponsored by University Place.

The Demons dropped a tight game in their last one at Stephen F. Austin.

Vernell Atamah led the way for NSU, as the sophomore recorded a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds.

"Where we're at, this is our growth period," head coach Anna Nimz said. "It stinks because sometimes, it comes with a couple losses. But we're absolutely still growing and getting better as a team. Weather didn't allow us to play on Saturday, but maybe these last couple days of a little more practice and ability to go a little bit harder and tougher in practice will put us in a quicker growing pattern."

It is the second meeting between the two schools, as NSU won the first matchup in Thibodaux 50-46.

Atamah led the way in that one too, pouring in a game-high 20 points, nailing 4-of-5 from deep, as well as grabbing eight rebounds.

With NSU clinging to a two-point lead, Carla Celaya played terrific 1-on-1 defense, forcing a miss by Tanita Swift before Nya Valentine calmly made a pair of FTs to seal the win.

While the Demons only attempted 13 3-pointers—a season low—in the win in the first meeting, they were efficient when attempting them, making seven of them.

"Any time you hold them to 46 when they have the ability to score 80 on any given night, that is a positive," Nimz said. "I don't think we saw their best in that game, and I don't think they saw our best.

"Both teams have gotten a lot better since that matchup. We have tried to fix some of the areas that we saw in that matchup. It's going to be a battle of will because both teams are incredibly talented."

Against the 3-point shot, Nicholls allows teams to make 33.8 percent from deep, which is second to last in the Southland. However, one of the Colonels strengths is running teams off the 3-point line, as teams only attempt 18 3-pointers per game, which is the fourth-best mark in the league.

Keeping the ball in possession is a key for the Demons, as Nicholls has a turnover margin of plus-5.73, far and away the second-best mark in the Southland.

Nicholls thrives on its balanced scoring, with Swift being the leading scorer at 11.1 points per game. Seven players average at least five points per game. In all games, the Colonels are third in the league in points per game (66.8).

The Colonels have won two games in a row, including last time out at Southeastern Louisiana, forcing a late miss to escape with a three-point win.

It can be viewed on ESPN+ or fans can listen to it on KZBL 100.7 FM.

Following the game, the Demons go back on the road for three straight contests, starting with a trip to New Orleans on Jan. 31 for the first meeting with the Privateers this season. The next game NSU has at Prather Coliseum is a big one against league-leading McNeese on Feb. 12.