NATCHITOCHES—In the last two games, Northwestern State has flexed its muscle on the defensive end during a two-game winning streak that has it on the verge of clinching a Southland Conference Tournament berth.

NSU (13-12, 10-7) has held its last two opponents to 30.7 percent shooting from the field and 26.2 percent from deep during the two wins that has the Demons in sole possession of fifth place.

The team that is one spot behind NSU? Thursday's opponent, UIW (11-13, 9-8), as the Demons aim for the season split after dropping the first one meeting 66-53 in San Antonio last month.

Tip-off is at 6:30 at Prather Coliseum.

"It's another opportunity at Prather Coliseum to play in front of the home crowd," head coach Anna Nimz said. "The girls are excited and with the last few games so close together, I have stressed to them that this is a tournament feel. We're just trying to get them healthy and do a lot of rehab, and they have to have an incredible amount of fire and fight.

With one victory or Houston Christian loss, the Demons clinch a spot in the conference tournament.

Last time out, the Demons held East Texas A&M to 20 points in the first half, as NSU won 60-51. Vernell Atamah and Tiara Abron combined for 35 points in the win and Carla Celaya recorded 12 rebounds, four assists and four steals.

With SLU and East Texas A&M averaging 49 points per game in the two games, the Demons are now second in the Southland in points allowed per game during league play at 57.1.

NSU's 36.8 percent opponent's shooting percentage ranks third in the league, only trailing UTRGV and Stephen F. Austin.

Vernell Atamah continues to chase history for the Demons, as her 18-point performance helped her already eclipse her 444 points she scored as a freshman and now sits just 108 points shy of being the 28^th member of the 1,000-point club in NSU women's basketball history.

She made one 3-pointer in the game, pushing her total to 70 on the season, which moves her into a tie for eighth place for single-season triples made in program history. The top total is 88, set by Beatrice Attura in the 2016-17 season.

In the first meeting with UIW, Stephie Salumu had a strong game off the bench with 11 points and four rebounds in 16 minutes.

The bench has been strong in recent games for the Demons, highlighted by strong performances from Payton Miller and Mika Jarrett.

UIW snapped a five-game losing streak last game with a 72-66 home victory over Nicholls.

One thorn in the side of the Demons on UIW has been Jorja Elliott, who has averaged 18.3 points per game on 60.6 percent shooting against NSU in the last two seasons. She scored 20 points on 9-of-16 shooting in the first meeting.

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

Following the match, the Demons wrap up the stretch of five contests in a row at home with a visit from HCU for Senior Day on Saturday for a 1 p.m. tip at Prather Coliseum.