A home game with national power LSU is the highlight of a difficult non-conference schedule for Northwestern State, one that sees it face three SEC opponents and a Big 12 foe, new Lady Demon basketball head coach Alan Frey announced Tuesday.
NSU welcomes LSU to Prather Coliseum on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 6. Coach Kim Mulkey has guided the Tigers to the NCAA Sweet 16 in each of the last four years, which includes a national championship in 2023.
It is the first time the Lady Demons have hosted LSU since 1983-84. The Tigers will be the first power conference opponent to come to Natchitoches since Alabama in the 1997-98 season.
“This non-conference schedule is an absolute celebration of Natchitoches and north Louisiana basketball, and it will challenge our team from day one,” Frey said. “Bringing a powerhouse like LSU right here to our community is a historic milestone, and we want to truly thank Kim Mulkey for her commitment to keeping elite matchups inside our state borders and bringing her team to Prather Coliseum.”
LSU senior star Mikaylah Williams, a three-year All-SEC guard, is the daughter of former Northwestern player LaTonya Perry, and is a Bossier City-Parkway product.
Mulkey endorsed Frey, a longtime Tulane assistant who also had deep ties into south Louisiana AAU basketball network, for the Northwestern job after Anna Nimz departed NSU for North Alabama in March.
The LSU contest is the last of three games against SEC foes. Northwestern goes to Arkansas on Nov. 6 and visits Oklahoma on Nov. 19.
The Demons open up the 2026-27 season in front of the home fans against Ecclesia on Nov. 2 before road trips to Arkansas, Oklahoma State (Nov. 9) and Louisiana Tech (Nov. 12).
NSU welcomes LSU-Shreveport to Natchitoches on Nov. 16 for its second home contest before traveling to Oklahoma.
During Thanksgiving week, the Demons host a pair of games against Alabama State on Nov. 24 and UL Lafayette on Nov. 27.
The LSU contest wraps up the 100th Christmas Festival weekend in Natchitoches
“Having UL Lafayette visit gives our local fans another high-stakes Louisiana battle right on our home floor,” Frey said. “When you combine that premier home slate with a grueling, historic North Louisiana rivalry game over at Louisiana Tech, followed by relentless road environments at Arkansas, Oklahoma State, and Oklahoma, we have built a true gauntlet.
“This schedule is intentionally designed to ignite the passion of basketball fans across our region and perfectly prepare our squad to compete for a Southland Conference championship.”
Ticket plans will be announced later, officials said.