CONWAY, Ark. _ The last two times the University of Central Arkansas Bears and the Northwestern State Demons played at the Farris Center, the teams combined for 218 and 201 points. They also played a 119-102 game in Natchitoches, La., in 2014.
    
    There is no reason to expect anything other than another entertaining game when they hook up again at 7 p.m. Thursday night in Southland Conference action at the Farris Center. The Demons have allowed 80+ points eight times this season while UCA opponents have topped 80 points 13 times. Both have talented and explosive offenses, with some of the top scorers in the conference.

    UCA features the third leading scorer in the league in junior guard Jordan Howard, who is averaging 19.3 points per game overall and 22.0 in conference play. He is also the top three-point (71 made) and free-throw shooter (93.2 percent) in the SLC. Howard scored a career-high 37 points in UCA's 91-75 loss in Natchitoches, La. last season. Junior Mathieu Kamba is third in the league in scoring in SLC games, averaging 20.6 points.

    NSU's leading scorer on the season, senior Zeke Woodley, is out with injury. Fellow senior Sabri Thompson has taken up the slack and is averaging 17.3 in conference play. Junior Devonte Hall is next for the Demons at 13.8 points per game in SLC play and is also No. 3 in the league in assists at 4.6 per game.

    Both teams are battling for SLC Tournament berths at the midway point of the conference slate. UCA (3-6 in SLC)  is coming off consecutive SLC losses by a combined three points, losing 78-76 at Stephen F. Austin last Wednesday and dropping an 81-80 decision to Incarnate Word last Saturday at home. The Demons (3-5) lost 85-64 at Lamar on Saturday after winning consecutive road games over Southeastern Louisiana and McNeese State. NSU is 3-8 in road games this season.

    The Bears and Demons played two of the most challenging non-conference schedules in the Southland this season. UCA played at Wisconsin, Butler, Oklahoma State and Arizona State, while NSU faced Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Missouri and Mississippi State on the road.

    The game is the second in a five-game homestand for the Bears. They will host Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday as part of a doubleheader with the Sugar Bears, then have Abilene Christian at home on Thursday, Feb. 9 and Nicholls on Saturday, Feb. 11.