CANYON, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word basketball teams are heading to West Texas A&M on Thursday for a Lone Star Conference doubleheader at the First United Bank Center. The women's game begins at 6 p.m. and is followed by the men's game at 8 p.m.

The Cardinals (15-7, 11-5) lead the Lady Buffs (14-11, 10-6) by one game in the conference standings and have already secured a spot in the LSC Tournament next month.  West Texas A&M has three players averaging double-figures. Devin Griffin leads the team with 15.8 points along with 6.8 rebounds per game.  Lacee Logan averages 14.5 points while Chontiquah White has 13.4 points and leads the team in rebounds with 8.0 per game.

Despite their loss to Tarleton State last week, the Cardinals are ninth in the first NCAA South Central Region Rankings released on Wednesday.  They are tops in the LSC in scoring defense (58.1 ppg), third in 3-point percentage defense (28.9%), first in steals per game (10.7) and first in turnover margin (+5.27).  Senior Ashlyn Green (Irving/Irving HS) leads the conference with 3.5 steals per game is one of two players averaging at least 10 points per game.  She leads the team with 12.5 points per game while Rose Whitehead (Grapevine/Grapevine HS) contributes 10.8 points per game.

The men's game features a pair of teams trying to reverse their recent fortunes.  The Cardinals (12-10, 8-6) have dropped their last four games after winning eight of the previous nine.  The Buffs (14-8, 6-8) have lost two in a row and are currently tied for seventh in the LSC.

The Cardinals boast a high-powered offense that is generating 74.9 points per game.  Dionelle Rucker (San Antonio/New Life Christian Academy) leads the team and the conference with 17.4 points per game.  He leads the team with 6.8 rebounds per game and is shooting 55.1 percent from the field, third in the LSC.

The Buffs' top player is LSC Preseason Player of the Year Donald Sims who averages 13.7 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, tops in the league.  Kennon Washington chips in 11.3 points per game and had 21 in the first meeting between the two squads.

After Thursday's game, the Cardinals will travel to New Mexico for a Saturday afternoon doubleheader at Eastern New Mexico.
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