(Interstat) — In a pivotal early-season Southland Conference matchup, the Northwestern State Demons overcame a slow start and a significant rebounding disadvantage to outlast the visiting New Orleans Privateers 74-68 on Saturday afternoon at Prather Coliseum.

The game, which saw the Demons improve to 4-10 overall and the Privateers fall to 5-10, was ultimately decided at the free-throw line and by defensive pressure. Northwestern State, despite shooting worse from the field than New Orleans, attempted 26 free throws, making 21, while the Privateers went 11 for 13. The Demons also forced 11 turnovers, converting them into 11 points, and held a 10-3 advantage in fastbreak points.

The most critical sequence of the contest unfolded in the game’s final five minutes. With Northwestern State clinging to a 61-58 lead, the Demons’ Landyn Jumawan, a 6-foot-4 guard from Honolulu, delivered a decisive blow. After a steal by Willie Williams, Jumawan sank a 3-pointer off an assist from Micah Thomas to push the lead to six with 5:26 remaining. On the ensuing New Orleans possession, Williams came up with another steal, leading to a trip to the line for Jumawan, who made three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt. That five-point trip, extending the margin to 67-58 with 1:57 left, effectively sealed the outcome against a Privateers team that struggled to find consistent offense down the stretch.

New Orleans was led by a dominant double-double from forward MJ Thomas of Denton, Texas, who scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in 30 minutes. Guard Jakevion Buckley of Shelbyville, Texas, added a team-high 17 points. The Privateers controlled the glass, outrebounding Northwestern State 45-35, including a 13-12 edge on the offensive boards, which led to a 30-24 advantage in points in the paint. However, their offense faltered from the perimeter, hitting just 5 of 26 from 3-point range, and managed only four assists against 11 turnovers.

Northwestern State’s victory was a balanced effort, headlined by forward Willie Williams of Houston. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound junior posted 13 points and 13 rebounds for his third consecutive double-double, adding two steals and a key assist. He was complemented by 16 points from Chris Mubiru of Philadelphia and 13 points off the bench from Jumawan. Micah Thomas orchestrated the offense with four assists, and the Demons shared the ball more effectively, recording 10 assists on 23 made field goals.

The game began inauspiciously for the home team, as New Orleans built an early 8-0 lead behind active defense, including a block from MJ Thomas on the game’s first shot. Northwestern State shook off the rust with a 10-0 run of its own, fueled by 3-pointers from Mubiru and Izzy Miles of Huntsville, Alabama, to take a brief lead. The first half featured seven ties and six lead changes, with the Demons taking a slim 34-32 advantage into halftime after a late tip-in by New Orleans’ William Patterson.

The second half saw Northwestern State gradually create separation. While the Privateers’ shooting woes continued—they finished the game at 42.6% from the field—the Demons capitalized at the line. A 7-0 run midway through the half, capped by a Chip Brunt dunk from Memphis, Tennessee, gave Northwestern State a 51-43 lead it would not relinquish. New Orleans closed to within three points on multiple occasions but could never string together enough stops and scores to regain the lead, hampered by a 3-for-15 performance from beyond the arc in the final 20 minutes.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Northwestern State entered with an 84.5% probability to win, though New Orleans had been installed as a 2.5-point favorite by oddsmakers. The combined point total of 142 fell well under the over/under line of 151.

The win snaps a two-game losing streak for the Demons, who will travel to face Nicholls State on Monday. The Privateers, who have lost two of their last three, return home to host Texas A&M-Commerce, also on Monday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in New Orleans on Jan. 31.