LAKE CHARLES — In the Southland Conference women’s basketball race, few teams have been as hot down the stretch as Northwestern State.
Fifth-seeded NSU (17-13 overall, 14-8 in the SLC) enters the conference tournament today on a four-game winning streak and went 6-1 in its final seven regular season games.
The Lady Demons aim to carry that momentum forward against No. 8 East Texas A&M (13-16, 9-13) at Townsley Law Arena. The teams split the regular season meetings, with both winning on their home court.
Tipoff is at 11 a.m. today. The game will be carried on ESPN+ or fans can listen to it on KZBL 100.7 FM in Natchitoches. The winner of the game plays again at 11 a.m. on Tuesday against No. 4 UTRGV.
“The goal for every coach is to inch closer and closer to 40 minutes as you get to the end of the year,” head coach Anna Nimz said. “We’re not there yet, but we are absolutely playing some really good basketball.
“We have a lot of variance, which we still have to get better at to be able to make it through this tournament. But they are excited and they are ready. They believe and know they are a special group. We’ve had a couple of days to give our legs a rest, but mentally, still get after it.”
For the first time in 22 years, the Demons have won 14 conference games. That season was also the last time the Demon won conference player of the year until this season.
This season’s player of the year is Vernell Atamah, who is leading the league in both overall (19.3) and in conference games (19.0) and her 19.3 points per game are the most in the program since Beatrice Attura averaged 20.6 in 2016-17.
After reaching 1,000 career points in the regular season finale against Houston Christian, she has a chance to make some more history during the tournament. With 87 made 3-pointers this season, she is just one behind Attura’s school record of 88, set in 2016-17.
As a team, the Demons are also just one shy of tying the school record of 223, set just last season.
Nya Valentine is another major factor in the 3-point shooting, making 70, helping her earn a second team all-conference nod.
In addition to her prowess from beyond the arc, she is also one of the best in the conference at setting her teammates up, ranking second in assists per game, averaging five in league play.
