Once you become a Christian, you will have no troubles, no sickness, no trials, and definitely no tribulations. People will love you all the time, your children will be perfect, you will never burn the dinner and everything will be coming up roses. Struggles? What’s that? Now that you decided to follow Jesus, you have left all of your turmoil in the past.

Just typing that made me laugh nervously under my breath, because I personally know better. It is a lie bigger than Texas.

My daughters always call me an “over-poster,” mainly because I routinely share all of our life details on social media. The over posting truly began when I started sharing my past struggles of growing up poor, making horrible decisions while navigating becoming a single mother with a half-empty nest, moving a child five states away, battling chubbiness, beginning a hobby of writing, and running for public office. Who doesn’t want to hear about all of that craziness?

One of the main reasons for the openness about our life in general was because I spent the last two decades of my life living the big Christian lie. I was pretending to be a perfect, front-row Baptist (not back row), with the perfect family who never experienced misery or adversity. But, one day God stopped me in my tracks and reminded me everyone has hills and valleys in life, even Christians. Or dare I say, especially Christians!

The transparency of our lives has been accompanied by blessings beyond measure. I cannot pass up the chance to share how Jesus has met us right where we are, during all of our struggles. We have never felt alone or abandoned by God. I could never truly verbalize how it fills my heart with joy to be stopped on the street only for someone to tell me, “you truly make me feel normal with your struggles” or “thank you for sharing because I was really feeling defeated”. Too many Christians pretend life is perfect just because they are saved.

It is truly the big Christian life. We will have hard times but we also have a savior.

The biggest blessing is actually getting on the other side of painful moments only to realize that you were not alone and God was actually busy making a way where there was no way.

Christians who do face hard times are not tempted to throw in the Christian towel. My daughters and I whole-heartedly know that there will be a stunning silver lining, a bountiful blessing, too many lessons to count, humor galore and beautiful moments. This is what it feels like to have peace that surpasses all understanding. We know life will have pitfalls but we already know the outcome.

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

Reba Phelps jreba.phelps@gmail.com

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Indigeaux, Begindigeaux, and the Rhythm Warriors will be performing Saturday, March 8 at Art Along the Bricks. This Celtic themed show will begin at 10 am on the bricks in front of the Natchitoches Art Gallery. Indigeaux and Begindigeaux are Natchitoches’ own belly dance troupes and the Rhythm Warriors are a group of drummers comprised of veterans and friends.

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Smart, Hardworking and Well Prepared-NSU Teacher Education Majors Attend NSU’s 2025 Teacher Job Fair

Northwestern State University held its annual Job Fair for Teachers Thursday, March 6 at the university’s student union ballroom. Approximately 100 NSU Education Majors took the opportunity to meet with representatives of 25 school districts from around Louisiana and Texas. Our own Natchitoches Parish school system was ably represented Linda Page, Alexa Bernard-Conday and Carissa Davis.

The young men and women in NSU’s teacher residency are an impressive group. They are exactly the type of smart, hard working young people one would want teaching our children and are a superb reflection on their alma mater. The Natchitoches Parish Journal wishes them all the best in their future endeavors. We would also love to see them build their lives as teachers in Natchitoches Parish!

Note: The beginning salary in the Natchitoches Parish School District for a teacher with a bachelor’s degree is $51,875.00 per the district’s website, including sales tax payments. That salary is quite competitive, especially considering our cost of living is considerably less than in other areas. The Natchitoches Parish school system is a wonderful place to start your teaching career! Ms. Linda Page, Director of Human Resources, may be reached at 318-352-2358, ext. 1157.

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HAMMOND — The matchup is painfully familiar but the opportunity is one the Lakeview Lady Gators basketball team has craved throughout the past year as they take the court this afternoon to play for the Non-Select Division IV state championship.

The top-seeded Lady Gators (29-4) will square off with No. 2 Arcadia (30-4) at 4 o’clock in the University Center on the Southeastern Louisiana University campus. The teams met last season in the state semifinals and the Lady Hornets, who went on to claim the state title, blew out Lakeview.

That 60-29 defeat has fueled Lakeview’s team since then. Led by two-time first-team All-State guard Timberlyn Washington, Lakeview has won 21 straight games. The last loss was to two-time defending Division I state champion Parkway, 49-41, on Dec. 10. Parkway is back in the big school championship game again.

Today’s contest will be broadcast on 100.7 FM KZBL and can be seen on a pay per view basis on NFHSNetwork.com or the LHSAANetwork app.

Classes at Lakeview were called off for today to allow students, faculty and staff to make the four-hour trip to Hammond to support the team. A large crowd gathered on campus Thursday for a sendoff as the Lady Gators headed back south.

They advanced to the finals by holding off Midland 48-44 Monday in a semifinal game, after hammering Homer 50-13 in a second-round game following a first-round bye.  Arcadia topped White Castle 55-47 Monday in a game the Lady Hornets led by 21.

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The Natchitoches Central Chiefs are on their homecourt tonight at 6:30 in an LHSAA Non-Select Division I boys basketball state quarterfinal playoff game, hoping to make a return to Marsh Madness next week in Lake Charles.

NCHS reached the state championship game last season, the latest in a series of trips to the state tournament this century.

The Chiefs (25-5) knocked out Neville 74-64 in a second-round game Tuesday night at the Teepee. As the tournament’s fourth seed, NCHS earned a first-round bye.

Covington, the 12^th seed, won two home games to reach the quarterfinals, edging No. 21 Slidell 54-50 and then holding off NCHS’s District 1-5A colleagues from Airline, 65-60, Tuesday night. The Chiefs are the 1-5A champions.

Admission for tonight’s game is $10 cash. A free live stream will be available at NCHSChiefs.live.

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Wait ‘til next year sounds pretty hollow today to the Lakeview Gators boys basketball team, which fell a couple of seconds away from an unlikely return to the LHSAA’s Marsh Madness state tournament in a 47-46 homecourt loss Thursday night to East Iberviille.

The outcome ended Lakeview’s season with a 25-6 record. The Gators and visiting Tigers (19-14) played an extremely competitive state quarterfinal game before East Iberview ripped the lead away from Lakeview on a shot in the lane that dropped in with under a second remaining.

The Gators had only one senior, Jamarcus Reliford, and were thought to be in a rebuilding mode after four starters graduated following last year’s trip to the state championship game. But veteran coach Brian Williams and his staff got the best out of the Lakeview squad and the tradition-rich program greatly exceeded most expectations. The Gators won 14 of their last 16 games and came just a couple of seconds away from getting back to the state’s high school basketball showcase event.

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As the Northwestern State baseball team opens the home portion of its 2025 Southland Conference schedule, it does so against a team that finds itself in a similar situation.

The Demons host Incarnate Word at 6:30 p.m. today  in Northwestern’s home Southland opener. The game is part of a three-game series that also includes a 2 p.m. Saturday matchup and a 1 p.m. Sunday matinee finale. All three games will air on ESPN+.

Both the Demons (5-7, 0-3) and Cardinals (8-5, 0-3) suffered sweeps in their conference-opening series. Northwestern fell to Southeastern Louisiana in three games in Hammond while UIW dropped all three of its games to Houston Christian at home.

Each team bounced back to grab a midweek win Tuesday with Northwestern thumping LeTourneau, 18-1, while UIW walked off a 7-6 win against Texas State.

“They’re coming off a great midweek win against an unbelievable Sun Belt team in Texas State,” second-year head coach Chris Bertrand said. “For us, it goes back to the way we talked to our team (after the weekend). I’m sure a lot of the same things are happening on the other side. You focus not on 0-3. You focus not on losing three baseball games. You focus on what happened, how do I own it and how can I take from it?”

SOFTBALL:  Northwestern picked up what will stand as one of the biggest upset wins of the entire 2025 softball season this past weekend.

The youngest team in the country not only beat the No. 20 ranked team in the nation in Mississippi State, they did so in shutout fashion with freshman Brooklyn Stohler holding the high-powered Bulldog lineup to just three hits in the game.

She benefited from a four-run sixth inning that pushed the NSU lead to five as she completed her conference leading seventh complete game of the year to earn her first career shutout.

Now it is what do the Demons (3-17) do with that win as they enter the most important portion of the schedule – conference play.

NSU hosts HCU (6-11) in the first Southland Conference series of the season beginning with the standard first-day doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. today, with Saturday’s single game set for a noon start. All games will air on ESPN+.

While the Demons are focused on UIW, lots of people are eager to see if the win over Mississippi State is one the team can build on – including first-year coach Jenny Fuller.

“I think that it’s going to give us a lot of confidence heading into this weekend,” Fuller said. “HCU has some good players on their team, but what we did on Sunday should give us the confidence that we can play with anybody no matter. Hopefully we keep that same attitude that we had against Mississippi State and take care of business.”

TENNIS:  The Lady Demons host a pivotal Southland Conference clash against newcomer UTRGV today at 1 p.m. at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.

The match, initially scheduled for Saturday, was moved up a day to avoid possible rainy weather.

The Lady Demons (2-5, 2-0) are riding high after a dominant 6-1 victory over Nicholls earlier this week in Thibodaux. Today’s match will begin a string of three homecourt matches, continuing next week with contests against teams coached by two former NSU head coaches, Olga Bazhanova Moore and Jonas Brobeck. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi visits Monday and Rhode Island comes in to play Wednesday.

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The Light City 12U Baseball team recently kicked off its spring season in the Mardi Gras invitational at Natchitoches PARC. Light city had to kick the dust off on the first day after too tough losses, but came back on the second day with a three game sweep for the win.

This is the team’s third consecutive championship win. They are looking forward to a great season and invite all the community to come cheer them on.

They will compete March 8-9 at the Ruston Slugfest.

Pictured: Harper Procell, Brenton Gongre, Ricky Isaac, Robert Williams, Madden Cameron, AJ Procell, Jayson Williams, Paxton Sers, Jude Coleman , Jackson Dawson, Max Nelson, and Zechariah Hall.
Not pictured: coaches Micah Coleman, and Mark Dawson

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When early women’s history in the U.S. is spoken of, it is often in terms of the women’s voting rights movement. But for many American Indian nations, women exercised political power—serving as clan mothers, chiefs and other leaders—long before the women’s voting movement, and matrilineal power remains strong and respected today.

This month, Northwestern State University will celebrate Women’s History Month with a talk about Native Women’s Leadership from Chief Elizabeth Rogers, chief of the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians. The talk is open to the public and will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, in the Lucile Hendrick Room in the NSU Student Union, and will interest anyone who wants to know more about women’s history and leadership in the U.S.

The event is sponsored by the Gail Metoyer Jones Center for Inclusion and Diversity, the American Indian and Indigenous Studies minor and the Native American Student Association.

For more information, contact Dr. Rebecca Riall at riallr@nsula.edu or t318) 357-6963.

DR. REBECCA L. RIALL
Associate Professor
Pre-Law and Paralegal Studies Coordinator
American Indian & Indigenous Studies Coordinator

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The monthly Young at Heart luncheon for seniors was held March 5 at the First United Methodist Church.

The Home Grown Tomaters Band entertained the group with a program of favorite gospel songs that they have sung in small country churches in the Natchitoches area. Band members included David Clark, Geo Darfus, Julia Brown, Janet Darfus, and Billy Spillman.

March birthdays were celebrated by David Clark and Linda Higginbotham. Preston Durr and Liz Durr were first-time attendees. Harvey Polk served as Master of Ceremonies, and Pastor Gary Willis offered a prayer before the meal. St. Patrick’s Day decorations were provided by the church’s Faith Circle.

Young at Heart meets the first Wednesday of each month at 11 AM in Bostick Hall at the church (enter through doors under the bell tower). The meeting is non-denominational, and all seniors are invited to come and enjoy the good food, fellowship, and entertainment. Attendees are asked to pay a $5 fee or to bring a covered dish to share. The next meeting is scheduled for April 2.

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Here is a look at the week of March 9-15 at Northwestern State University.

March 10 – B-term classes begin

March 10-14 – Exhibition by faculty David Steele and Josie Rodriguez, “A New Understanding of Graphic Notation: Dimensions of Physicality and Sound.” Gallery 2, Orville Hanchey Art Gallery

March 10 – Tennis vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Jack Fisher Tennis Complex, 11 a.m.

March 11 – Baseball vs. Grambling, Brown-Stroud Field, 6 p.m.

March 11 – Softball vs. Baylor, Lady Demon Diamond, 6 p.m.

March 11 — “Carterfest: A Tribute to Elliott Carter,” Magale Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m.#

March 12 – Tennis vs. Rhode Island, Jack Fisher Tennis Complex, 11 a.m.

March 12 – Baseball vs. Mississippi Valley, Brown-Stroud Field, 6 p.m.

March 12 — NSU Combined Brass Ensemble, Magale Recital Hall, 7:30 pm.#

March 12-15 – NSU Theatre and Dance presents “Roosevelvis,” Theatre West, 7:30 p.m.

March 13 — Faculty recital featuring Dr. Oliver Molina, percussion, Magale Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m.#

March 14 – Celebration of “La Francophonie” featuring Les Amis du Teche, Collins Pavilion, 6 p.m.

March 15 – Northwest Louisiana District Literary Rally, Academic Buildings, 8 a.m.-noon

March 15-16 – NSU Theatre and Dance presents “Roosevelvis,” Theatre West, 2 p.m.

# Livestream available at nsula.edu/capa/capalivestream

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A traffic stop has resulted in the arrest of a Robeline man on felony drug and weapon charges according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright. NPSO Drug Enforcement Criminal Patrol Unit deputies stopped 2009 Ford pickup on March 5 around 5:05 pm on Hwy. 485 near the I-49 Powhatan exit for a traffic violation.

Deputies identified the driver of the vehicle, as Jason E. Moore, 53 of Robeline.

During a National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System Check, deputies learned Moore’s driver’s license was suspended and he was a convicted felon with prior narcotics and weapons charges.

Deputies say during the traffic stop, Moore appeared very nervous.

They asked if he had any weapons in the vehicle in which he responded “no.”

A wrecker was contacted to impound the vehicle.

An inventory of the vehicle led to the discovery and seizure of a Smith & Wesson 9mm with two loaded magazines and two additional boxes of ammunition.

Moore was placed under arrest.

During a search of Moore’s person incidental to the arrest, deputies discovered approximately 1-gram of suspected methamphetamine and glass smoking pipe on his person.

As a result:

Jason E. Moore, 53, of Robeline was transported and booked into LaSalle Corrections/Natchitoches Detention Center charged with Driving under Suspension, Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamines, 2nd of Subsequent Offenses, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of Certain Felonies, Illegal Possession of a Firearm During a Felony Narcotics Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Moore remains in LaSalle Corrections/Natchitoches Detention Center.

The seized evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for analysis.

Involved in the arrest were: Deputy Cpl. S. Dieter assisted by Deputy Sgt. A. Llorence.

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The City of Natchitoches would like to advise the public that the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises they will be performing pavement marking work on the evening of Thursday, March 6 on Church Street near the intersection of Second Street.

This work is being performed during evening hours because of high traffic volumes at this location
during the day. Motorists are urged to exercise caution and to observe all warning signs and flagger instructions while traveling through the work area.

For more information, contact LA DOTD at (318) 561-5105.

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Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a two-vehicle crash on March 5 around 2:15 pm on I-49 north of Natchitoches. The crash claimed the life of 51-year-old Fletda R. Arterberry of Tyler, TX.

The initial investigation revealed that a 1998 Chevrolet truck and a Can-Am Spyder, driven by Arterberry, were southbound on I-49. For reasons still under investigation, Arterberry failed to slow down and rear-ended the Chevrolet. After impact, the Can-Am became engulfed in flames.

Arterberry sustained fatal injuries and was transported to a local medical facility where she was pronounced dead. The driver of the Chevrolet, who was restrained, sustained no injuries. A toxicology sample was obtained and submitted for analysis.

While the cause of this crash remains under investigation, distracted and inattentive driving continues to be a leading cause of crashes in our state. Louisiana State Police urges all motorists to stay alert while driving. A lapse in one’s awareness can have deadly consequences.

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A vehicle and motorcycle crash on I-49 southbound near milepost 148, just south of the Powhatan exit, resulted in injuries and traffic delays on Monday afternoon.

According to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, the accident occurred at approximately 2:12 p.m. Emergency responders, including Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, Louisiana State Police, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS, and Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #7, arrived at the scene to assist.

One of the vehicles involved was reportedly on fire. Authorities advised drivers to proceed with caution and remain alert while passing through the area, as traffic was reduced to a single lane.

Louisiana State Police Troop E in Alexandria launched an investigation into the crash. Further details were not immediately available, and any additional information will be provided by Louisiana State Police as the investigation continues.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), advises the public that on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM, weather permitting, Bridge #083500530414631 on LA 1-X over CANE RIVER will be closed to all traffic for bridge maintenance. The bridge is on LA 1-X (Church St) in Natchitoches, LA, and is located 0.01 miles south of the LA 1224 Intersection.

Permit/Detour section
The road will be closed to all traffic while the inspection is being performed by LA DOTD personnel.
No detour will be provided.

Safety Reminder
DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution around the construction sites and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

Additional Information
Motorists can access the latest updates on real-time traffic and road conditions using the 511 Traveler Information System by dialing 511 from their telephone and saying the route or region on which they are seeking information. Out-of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). Travelers can also access this information by visiting the 511 Traveler Information Web site at http://www.511la.org. Additionally, you can follow the Traffic Management Center on Twitter: (@Alex Traffic). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website @ http://www.dotd.la.gov and the DOTD Facebook page.

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The Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State University will sponsor the 10th annual NSU Double Reed Day on Saturday, March 8 from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. The event is open to oboists and bassoonists of all ages/levels and will include masterclasses, reed classes, and a guest artist recital. For more information on how to register, contact forsythl@nsula.edu.

This year’s guest artist is Dr. Courtney Miller, assistant professor of oboe at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Miller will present a recital at 4:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. The recital will be livestreamed at https://capa.nsula.edu/livestream/.

Miller teaches oboe, chamber music and reed making. Before coming to the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, she served on faculty at the University of Iowa, Boston College and Ashland University.

A highly regarded performer and pedagogue, Miller tours as a soloist, chamber musician, and teacher throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America. Her 2023 tour in Thailand promoted her newest album collaboration, “Hans Gál: Works for Viola, Piano, Violin & Oboe,” released in 2022 on Centaur Records. Miller has performed with orchestras including the Chicago Symphony, Orchestra Iowa, Quad Cities Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, Portland Symphony, Akron Symphony and the Cleveland Opera and North Carolina Opera.

She is devoted to performing established repertoire, new compositions and lesser-known works. Her 2019 album “Portuguese Perspectives” introduces a collection of world-premiere recordings for the oboe by Portuguese composers and includes several new commissions by Miller. This album and her 2015 release, “Modern Fairy Tales,” are available on iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

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Dr. Neeru Deep has been named dean of the Gallaspy Family College of Education and Human Development at Northwestern State University. Her appointment has been approved by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.

Deep has served as interim dean since 2023. She has been a member of Northwestern State’s faculty since 2002 and served as chair of the Department of Psychology.

“I am thrilled to have Dr. Deep leading the Gallaspy Family College of Education and Human Development,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Greg Handel. “She possesses a wealth of experiences that make her a unique leader for the college, and she brings perspectives that will help the college evolve as it strives to serve an ever-changing educational and human development student accessing its programs. Dr. Deep’s scholarly achievements, approaches to learning and focus on well-being will serve her well as dean.”

The College of Education and Human Development consists of the School of Education and the departments of Psychology and Addiction Studies, Health and Human Performance, Social Work and Military Science and Leadership. Other responsibilities include the NSU Marie Shaw Dunn Child Development Center, NSU Elementary Lab School, NSU Middle Lab School and NSU Child and Family Network. Her work will also require collaboration efforts with the Natchitoches Parish School Board.

Deep said she is committed to uplifting communities through three major workforce development grants: the NSU Child and Family Network program, the NSU Healthcare ACE and the NSU Title IV-E/Louisiana Title IV-E Program.

“My vision is that our college will become the leader in the field by providing innovative, collaborative and transformative experiences for our faculty, students, and staff, where everyone will receive the utmost respect,” said Deep. “I envision collaborative success. I am grateful to my dedicated team for pouring their heart into bringing the best experience for our students.”

Deep has 24 years of overall teaching experience. She received the Arthur Watson Endowed Professorship in Academic Accommodations at NSU. The professorship was established to enhance teaching, research and service activities in academic accommodation. Deep was named Outstanding Faculty Advisor of the year award in 2008. She has taken part in extensive leadership training including the IGNiTE Leadership Program at Northwestern, Building Organizational Cultures: A Framework for Leaders from Harvard University and Connected Leadership from Yale University.

She was founder of the Center for Positivity, Well-being, and Hope at Northwestern. Deep is President of the NSU Eta Mu Chapter of the Phi Beta Delta- Honor Society of International Scholars. Deep said she is committed to collaboration with students, staff, faculty, leaders and stakeholders and deeply dedicated to academic, research, and service excellence. She has extensive experience conducting research and presenting at professional conferences.

Deep earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, a bachelor’s in education, a master’s degree in psychology, and a master’s degree in education from Panjab University, India, and a Doctor of Education in Adult Learning and Development from NSU.

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The Lakeview High School boys basketball team doesn’t want to be outdone by the Lady Gators.

Tonight, coach Brian Williams and his Gators get their shot to again reach the state’s Marsh Madness tournament when they host a 7 p.m. LHSAA Non-Select Division IV quarterfinal playoff game at The Swamp.

Third-seeded Lakeview (25-5) will battle No. 6 East Iberville (19-14) with a state semifinal berth next week in Lake Charles at stake.

The game is being played tonight instead of Friday because LHS will be closed Friday as the Lady Gators play Arcadia for the state championship at the girls Marsh Madness in Hammond.

Admission for tonight’s game at Lakeview is $10 cash at the front entrance to the school.

The Natchitoches Central boys will tip off Friday night at 6:30 at home in their Division I quarterfinal against Covington. Game time was set Wednesday morning.

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Scoring a career high on your Senior Night is a wonderful way to finish.

Doing so in your hometown is even sweeter.

Natchitoches’ own Nia Hardison had a Demon dream-come-true performance, scoring a career-high 21 points lthat led Northwestern State to a dominant 76-56 victory over East Texas A&M Wednesday in Prather Coliseum on Senior Night and the regular-season finale for both teams.

“My heart is full,” head coach Anna Nimz said. “I am proud of the girls. I am thankful to these seniors. They have done something that Northwestern State women’s basketball hasn’t done in a really long time. I am proud they put in the work and finally reach some of the benefits.”

Hardison’s 21 came on 8-of-12 shooting, as Northwestern (15-14, 12-8) wrapped up its first overall winning record in the regular season in nearly a decade.

“It feels good to go out and score a career high tonight,” Hardison said. “But I didn’t go out with a mindset of going out there to score. I was just in the moment of playing the game. It just all came to me.”

The Demons overcame a slow start while the Lions (7-22, 4-16) shot 47 percent in the first quarter and took a 21-16 lead.

After going scoreless in the first quarter, senior Mya Blake came out firing in the second. Blake scored 10 of her 19 in the second quarter, as the Demons finished on a 17-6 run, turning a five-point deficit to a 37-31 lead at halftime.

The Demons held a prolific offense to just 10 points in the third quarter, outscoring the Lions 21-10 to take control.

“It always starts with defense,” Nimz said. “We’ve never been a team to blow it out of the water. It always needs to stay focused on our defense. We were very effective on our press and got our hands on a lot of things and were able to score a lot of quick points. That transitioned into better halfcourt defense — better pressure, better hands on ball.

“We held a very good scoring team to 10 points in the second quarter. We just have to figure out how to do that for four quarters without pressing.”

While Hardison had two early 3-pointers to start her day off strong, she took over in the third quarter, scoring nine of her 21 in the third quarter, helping the Demons blow open the game with a 17-1 spurt to push the lead to 22 points at 57-35.

During that run, Hardison and Mya Blake scored a combined 14 of the 17 points. The Demons had 22 points off turnovers in the middle two quarters, scoring 33 points.

In a final statement in the race for conference player of the year, Blake’s 19 points came with six rebounds, four assists and three steals.

She is just the third Northwestern women’s basketball player to reach 500 points in a season in the last 25 years and first since Beatrice Attura in 2016-17.

Quietly, Vernell Atamah posted her sixth double-double of the season, recording 16 rebounds and 10 rebounds, bolstering her candidacy for SLC freshman of the year honors. Of Atamah’s 10 boards, six of them came on the offensive glass.

The Demons are back in action at the Southland Conference Tournament as the No. 5 seed, playing No. 8 seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Monday at 11 a.m. in Lake Charles.

“We’re ready for the conference tournament,” said Nimz. “In these last handful of moments, it’s taking all of our good moments and putting them together for 40 minutes and while I am happy after a 20-point win, I don’t think we have tickled how good we can actually be.”

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