NATCHITOCHES—Another game, another opportunity for Northwestern State, as it continues its five-game home stand with another in-state rival.

After a tough loss to McNeese last time out, NSU (11-12, 8-7) welcomes Southeastern Louisiana (4-19, 3-13) to Prather Coliseum on Saturday as part of a doubleheader with the men.

Tip-off is at 1 p.m.

"I loved the fight and confidence I saw in their eyes vs. McNeese," head coach Anna Nimz said. "We need to use that to propel us forward vs. Southeastern on Saturday."

The teams met in the Southland Conference opener, a 69-52 Demons victory in Hammond in December. NSU used a 17-2 run in the second quarter to turn a tie game into a one-sided affair.

Vernell Atamah posted one of the best games of her young career with 22 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, while Tiara Abron poured in a career-high 18 points.
Atamah hauled down 11 offensive boards, many of which came in the first quarter.

Three players had at least eight rebounds—Atamah (16), Carla Celaya (9) and Clarence Djuela (8)—as the Demons grabbed 22 offensive rebounds en route to dominating the Lady Lions on the glass, 47-26. At a plus-4.6, NSU is second in the league in rebounding margin, while SLU is a minus-6.3 for 11^th in the Southland.

NSU used the turnover statistic to take control of the game, forcing 17 turnovers to 13 miscues by the Lady Demons, which led to a massive 24-7 victory in points off turnovers, including 12-0 in the decisive second quarter.

Abron has been a vital third scorer for the Demons and has become more efficient with her opportunities as well.

In her past five games, she has averaged 11.5 points per game, shooting 51.2 percent from the field. In those five contests, she has shot 50 percent or better in four of them.

Both teams like to shoot the 3-point shot, with both ranking in the top half of the SLC in 3-pointers attempted during league play with SLU ranking fourth (337 attempts) and NSU is currently in sixth (309).

One area where the Lady Lions excel is defending the 3-point shot. While teams have attempted the most against them in the conference, SLU holds opponents to just 26.2 percent from 3-point range, which is third.

NSU is right behind SLU in fourth, as teams shoot just 26.7 percent from deep in league action.

SLU has one of the best players in the Southland in Aliyah Collins, who averages 15.1 points per contest in league play, the fourth-best mark in the league. She poured in 23 in the first meeting, as she was the only Lady Lion to reach double figures.

While SLU has won three conference games, it had won two in a row before losing to East Texas A&M in the last game.

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

The Demons continue their home stand with a visit from East Texas A&M on Saturday in a game rescheduled from last month before finishing up the stretch at home with UIW (Feb. 19) and Houston Christian (Feb. 21).