Sam Houston State women's basketball could not find an answer for Northwestern State's Janelle Perez, who put down a season-high 27 points including a 10-for-11 performance from the field, to lead the Demons to a 69-49 win in Natchitoches, La., on Monday.

The Bearkats (5-7 overall, 1-1 Southland Conference) were led by Angela Beadle and Laurynn McGowen, who each finished with 10 points. Ashleigh Cooper brought down a team-high five boards, although NSU (8-5, 2-0 SLC) maintained a 40-26 rebounding edge.

Shadijah Moore knocked down a three-pointer to give the Kats a 7-4 lead four minutes in before Perez took over, hitting her first of seven straight from downtown in route to a career high from behind the line.

Despite the defensive difficulties, Sam Houston trailed by just six entering the second quarter and cut the Demons' lead to 22-18 with 6:38 left in the frame on a Beadle jumper. However, NSU rallied off a 13-0 run during the next 4 ½ minutes and led 37-20 midway through.

After playing four straight, and seven of its last eight on the road, the Bearkats return to Johnson Coliseum for three consecutive, beginning with Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday. The Kats and Lady Lions will tip off at 6:30 p.m.