NATCHITOCHES — Northwestern State returns to Mike McConathy Court at Prather Coliseum on Monday night looking to build momentum — and snap a frustrating skid — as the Demons host McNeese in Southland Conference play.

Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on Mike McConathy Court, which is presented by Louisiana Lottery, and the game can be streamed on ESPN+. Radio coverage is available on the Demon Sports Network and flagship station 100.7 FM KZBL in Natchitoches.

NSU (8-18, 6-11) enters the matchup coming off a dramatic 69–66 win over Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday afternoon. The Demons erased a late deficit behind 26 points from Micah Thomas and closed the game at the free-throw line in the final seconds.

Now comes a much different challenge.

McNeese (21-5, 14-3) arrives in Natchitoches riding a three-game winning streak, including a dominant 97–54 blowout at East Texas A&M on Saturday. Four Cowboys scored in double figures in that contest, led by reigning Southland Conference Player of the Year Javohn Garcia's 21-point performance on 8-of-12 shooting, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc.

The Cowboys' identity is built on pressure and disruption.

McNeese ranks fourth nationally in steals per game (10.5), second in turnover margin (+7.0), and third in forced turnovers per game (16.9). The Cowboys thrive on converting live-ball turnovers into transition offense — something that Northwestern State in the first meeting.

The last time the two teams met was Dec. 5 in Lake Charles, when McNeese won 92–54 in one of the earliest conference games played in nearly four decades.

The Cowboys limited Thomas, Northwestern's leading scorer, to just three points in nine minutes, while the Demons shot 35 percent from the field and saw their starting lineup combine for just five points.

Head coach Rick Cabrera didn't sugarcoat that performance.

"I'll be honest," Cabrera said. "If I knew we were going to play like that, we shouldn't have shown up and just taken the 2-0 forfeit. They had just come off a loss to Incarnate Word. They changed their lineup, defended extremely well, and scored a ton of points in transition off our turnovers and bad misses."

Despite that result, Cabrera said he believes this version of his team is different.

"We're a much better team than we were then," he said. "I think we could beat any team in this league. Obviously, any team could beat us, but I like our chances versus them on Monday night."

Ball security will again be a central theme.

In the first matchup, turnovers fueled McNeese's transition attack. But the Demons have shown improvement in that area in recent games, including limiting giveaways during a key road win at Lamar before a few late miscues.

"We had three or four turnovers up until maybe the last five or six minutes," Cabrera said. "Then Micah decided to donate a few passes to the other team. Fatigue probably set in for him. I probably should've gotten him out for a few minutes."

Even with those late mistakes, Cabrera emphasized the growth and composure his team showed in the closing moments.

"He's such a great player," Cabrera said of Thomas. "He gets to the free-throw line in that last play, sells the foul, and steps up. He's a winner. I'm glad he was able to step up for us."

Against a McNeese team that pressures relentlessly and forces nearly 17 turnovers per game, the Demons will need that composure for a full 40 minutes.

History adds another layer to Monday's contest. The Cowboys have won six straight meetings against the Demons and 10 of the last 11 overall.

But Northwestern enters with confidence after executing late against Southeastern — and with belief that the early-season blowout does not define this matchup.