Preview: New Orleans Privateers at Northwestern State Demons CYPRESS, La. (Interstat) — The Northwestern State women’s basketball team looks to solidify its position in the Southland Conference standings Tuesday when it hosts a struggling New Orleans squad at Prather Coliseum. The Demons (15-13) enter the matchup on a two-game winning streak, including a dominant 63-35 road victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday. Guard Nya Valentine has been instrumental, averaging 18 points and 5.5 assists over the last two contests. In the Jan. 31 meeting between these teams, Northwestern State secured a 78-61 win in New Orleans. Conversely, the Privateers (3-26) are mired in a five-game losing skid and have dropped 11 of their last 12. They are coming off a 49-73 home loss to McNeese State on Saturday. Guard Lauren Banks has been a bright spot, scoring 20 points in each of her last two games. She leads New Orleans with an average of 14.3 points per game in February. Northwestern State’s defense, which held its last opponent to 35 points, will aim to contain Banks and force turnovers against a Privateers team averaging 60.2 points per game. The Demons average 62.1 points per contest and have won three of their last four at home. New Orleans, which last won on Feb. 12 at Incarnate Word, has struggled on the road, going 1-13 away from home this season. They will need a significant defensive effort to slow Valentine and forward Vernell Atamah, who scored 20 points in the Demons’ last outing. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CST. The game will be a key opportunity for Northwestern State to build momentum ahead of the conference tournament, while New Orleans seeks a rare late-season victory to disrupt the standings.