The Northwestern State basketball teams tip off their second games tonight on season-opening road trips, while the Lady Demon volleyball team is home in Prather Coliseum where fans will be able to enjoy a “Bad Tunes” promotion at the match.
MEN’S BASKETBALL: In Denton, Texas, the Demons (0-1) face North Texas (1-0) at the Super Pit. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. for a game that will stream live on ESPN+.
After opening Monday with a 98-68 loss at Texas A&M, third-year head coach Rick Cabrera’s team enters tonight’s matchup looking to build on offensive highlights from the season debut while tightening up defensively.
“We were awful defensively,” Cabrera said. “(Texas A&M) has an unorthodox way of playing that fits them and works well for them, but we’re not going to let that game hinder us. We had a really good practice (Tuesday), and we’re ready to face North Texas.”
Senior guard Micah Thomas led the Demons with a career-high 28 points, shooting 9-for-16 from the field, a perfect 4-for-4 from 3-point range, and 6-for-6 at the free-throw line. Cabrera praised the senior’s performance but noted the need for more balance.
“Micah has always had that gift to score,” Cabrera said. “He kept it respectable with his ability to put the ball in the hole. He’s only been cleared for a few weeks, so what he’s doing is impressive — but I know he’d trade the points for a win.”
North Texas (1–0) opened its season with an 88–54 victory over New Mexico Highlands, shooting 54 percent from the field and 44 percent from deep. The Mean Green poured in 48 points off the bench and 40 in the paint.
“They play really, really hard,” Cabrera said. “They’re very well-coached and disciplined — a man-to-man team that gets after it. We’ll have to handle some pressure again, not in a full-court sense like A&M, but it’ll be another physical, defensive game. You’ll see a different team from us against North Texas.”
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: In Wichita, Kan., the Demons (0-1) have a chance to show what they have learned from the loss at Nebraska in Monday’s season opener when they play Wichita State (1-0) tonight. Tipoff is at 6 p.m. at Charles Koch Arena, in a game streamed on ESPN+.
“Our main focus this entire trip will be growing on and off the court as a team,” head coach Anna Nimz said. “We have a lot of new faces, and we are working daily to find our rhythm. I believe this is the most important goal throughout our gauntlet of a non-conference schedule. It’s all about preparing ourselves for the Southland Conference season.”
Last year’s Southland Conference Freshman of the Year Vernell Atamah scored 20 points at Nebraska.
VOLLEYBALL: Northwestern hosts the East Texas A&M Lions tonight at 6:30 in Prather Coliseum for “Bad Tunes Night.”
Fans will get to choose a “bad tune” that the opposing team will have to listen to during their serve. The promotion links to the website, NSUDemons.Com/BadTunes, for more information and to support the team.
The Demons (1-25, 0-12 SLC) are coming off a 3-0 loss on the road Saturday to Houston Christian. The Lions (7-16, 5-7 SLC) were defeated Saturday by the UIW Cardinals 3-0 on the road.
NSU is led by senior Deja Benjamin with 181 kills. Jade Longlad, a junior, leads the Southland with 46 aces and has 336 assists, tops among the Demons.