The Northwestern State men’s basketball team returns to the comfort of Mike McConathy Court in Prather Coliseum on Saturday afternoon with one eye on the weather and one eye on East Texas A&M.
The Demons and visiting Lions plan to tip off at 12 p.m. Saturday in a Southland Conference matchup that has been moved up from 3:30 because of the effects of Winter Storm Fern.
The earlier women’s game Saturday has been postponed. Both shifts have to do with the visitors’ travel – the Lady Lions will head home to Commerce after their Thursday night game instead of having to do so in wintry conditions Saturday evening, while the Lions travel south after Saturday’s game for a Monday night contest at Beaumont vs. Lamar.
If local conditions worsen sooner than forecast Saturday morning, check http://www.NSUDemons.com and the @NSUDemonsmbb social media channels for the latest information about the game’s status.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+, with radio coverage on the Demon Sports Network, flagship station 100.7 FM KZBL in Natchitoches.
The Demons (6-13, 4-6) come home searching for momentum after a tough 0–2 road swing that saw both games decided in the final seconds.
Northwestern fell at UIW this past Saturday when Tahj Staveskie converted game-winning free throws with 1.4 seconds remaining before suffering another gut punch Monday night at Houston Christian, where Kylin Green’s driving layup with nine seconds left sealed an 82–80 loss.
Despite the results, head coach Rick Cabrera said the team has stayed locked in during a week where uncertainty has been a factor.
“We just have to stay prepared,” Cabrera said. “Mother Nature is going to do what she wants to do, but we’ve got to stay focused on the opponent. Whether we get the good or the bad, we’ll make a decision after that. Right now, we’re focused on East Texas A&M.”
Even without a normal practice rhythm, Cabrera said the pause has allowed the Demons to turn the focus inward, particularly on the defensive end.
“We’re focusing on us, getting better defensively,” Cabrera said. “We’re not very good defensively, and you can’t win games like that. Defense wins games, too. Championships too. It’s good to have good offense, trust me, but defensively we’ve been very inconsistent.”
Those defensive lapses have been magnified late, as Northwestern has played five consecutive games settled in the final seconds.
“Paying attention to detail is so vital, especially in conference play,” Cabrera said. “When you’re up six and give up two 3s on back-to-back possessions, now it’s a one-point game. That’s very frustrating, and that’s something I’ve got to fix.”
Despite the heartbreak, Northwestern showed resilience and production from its veteran core.
Seniors Micah Thomas and Willie Williams led the way offensively over the weekend, with Thomas averaging 17 points per game and Williams close behind at 16.5, continuing his strong interior play.
A return home could be the spark the Demons need. Northwestern owns a 5–3 record at Prather Coliseum this season, a sharp contrast to its 1–10 mark away from Natchitoches.
“We need it,” Cabrera said. “Our last five games have been one-possession games. On the positive side, we’re three possessions away from being 7–3 in league play. That’s how important defense is. Eliminate two or three mistakes, and those are wins.”
East Texas A&M (8-12, 3-7) enters the weekend riding momentum after an 80–58 win over UIW on Monday, shooting 55.6 percent from the field with all five starters scoring in double figures.
As the Demons look to turn tight losses into wins, Cabrera said the margin for error is only getting thinner.
“These games are going to come down to the last two minutes,” Cabrera said. “That’s the league. You’ve got to make plays on both ends of the floor when it matters most.”
Monday, NSU is slated to visit Stephen F. Austin if possible in a game slated for CBS Sports Network coverage.
