NATCHITOCHES, La. (Interstat) — Northwestern State used a dominant third quarter to overcome an early deficit and defeat Houston Christian 70-64 in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at Prather Coliseum. The Huskies led 38-30 at halftime after a strong first half, but the Demons seized control with a 23-point third quarter. Vernell Atamah led Northwestern State with 21 points and seven rebounds. Grace Booth scored a game-high 22 points with 10 rebounds for Houston Christian in the loss. Northwestern State improved to 13-13 overall. Houston Christian fell to 8-18. Attendance was 222.

(Interstat) — A dominant third-quarter surge propelled the Northwestern State women’s basketball team to a 70-64 victory over Houston Christian in a Southland Conference matchup Saturday afternoon at Prather Coliseum. The Demons, improving to 13-13 overall, erased a six-point halftime deficit by outscoring the Huskies 23-11 in the pivotal third period. That decisive run, fueled by defensive pressure and efficient free-throw shooting, proved insurmountable for Houston Christian, which fell to 8-18. Northwestern State’s Vernell Atamah, a 6-foot sophomore from Mesquite, Texas, led all scorers with 21 points, adding seven rebounds. She was instrumental in the comeback, attacking the basket and drawing fouls. Her backcourt mate, Nya Valentine, added 10 points and three assists, but her most critical contributions came at the free-throw line in the game’s final moments, where she sank four consecutive attempts to seal the win. The Demons’ interior presence was anchored by Dasia Turner, who recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Her work on the offensive glass, part of a 14-5 team advantage in offensive rebounds, created crucial second-chance opportunities. Houston Christian was led by a stellar performance from Grace Booth. The 5-foot-10 guard from Glen Rose, Texas, poured in 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double. She was the engine for the Huskies early, scoring 12 first-quarter points to help build a 21-15 lead after one period. That advantage stretched to 38-30 at halftime. The game’s complexion changed entirely after the break. Northwestern State intensified its defense, forcing Houston Christian into rushed shots and turnovers. The Demons also began consistently driving into the paint, earning trips to the free-throw line where they built their advantage. For the game, Northwestern State attempted 26 free throws, making 22, while Houston Christian went just 12 of 22 from the stripe. The Huskies also struggled mightily from beyond the arc, connecting on only 2 of 16 three-point attempts. Despite shooting a higher percentage from the field overall (47.2% to 35.0%), Houston Christian’s inability to score from deep or convert free throws, coupled with Northwestern State’s rebounding dominance, ultimately decided the contest. Kamryn McLaurin provided a spark off the bench for Houston Christian with nine points, and Tove Caesar contributed six points, five rebounds and three assists. The victory completed a regular-season sweep for Northwestern State, which defeated Houston Christian 67-57 on Jan. 15. According to the National Statistical ELO system, the Demons entered the game with an 88.1 percent probability to win. The most important part of the game was Northwestern State’s transformative third quarter. After being outplayed in the first half, the Demons emerged from halftime with heightened defensive energy, which directly fueled their offense. They disrupted Houston Christian’s rhythm, converting stops into transition opportunities and aggressive drives that resulted in free throws. This 10-minute stretch, where they outscored the Huskies by 12 points, flipped the game’s momentum permanently and established a lead that Houston Christian could not reclaim despite a competitive fourth quarter. Northwestern State looks ahead to a road contest at Texas-Rio Grande Valley on Thursday. Houston Christian returns home to host Lamar, also on Thursday.

Preview: Houston Christian Huskies at Northwestern State Demons CYPRESS, La. (Interstat) — The Northwestern State Demons look to solidify their position in the Southland Conference standings when they host the Houston Christian Huskies in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at Prather Coliseum. The Demons (12-12 overall) enter at .500 and are coming off a decisive 62-47 home victory over Southeastern Louisiana on Feb. 14. They will rely heavily on forward Vernell Atamah, who dominated in that win with 23 points and 17 rebounds. Atamah has been a consistent force, scoring in double figures in five of her last six games, including a 24-point, 6-rebound, 5-assist performance in a win at New Orleans on Jan. 31. Houston Christian (7-17) snapped a three-game skid with a 68-57 home win over New Orleans on Feb. 14. Guard Madison Hurta led the way with 17 points and five rebounds. Hurta has been the Huskies’ primary offensive catalyst, averaging 13.3 points over her last seven contests. Northwestern State won the season’s first meeting, 67-57, in Houston on Jan. 15. The Demons have won three of their last five games, while the Huskies have struggled on the road, losing four straight away from home before their recent victory. This matchup is pivotal for both teams as the regular season enters its final stretch. Northwestern State seeks to build momentum for a potential conference tournament run, while Houston Christian aims to play spoiler and find consistency away from home. Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. The game is organized by the Southland Conference.