HOUSTON, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team is the first UIW program to play in 2014 when they travel to Rice University on Friday for a 7 p.m. tip-off.

The Cardinals (6-5) are 1-1 this year against NCAA Division I opponents with a win at UT-Arlington and a loss at Arkansas-Little Rock.  This will be the final non-conference game before they start the Southland Conference schedule next Thursday at Southeastern Louisiana.

UIW enters the contest averaging 64.0 points per game and allowing 67.1 points per game.  The strength of the team has been their ability to draw fouls as they have outscored their opponents, 239-120 at the charity stripe.  Overall, Rose Whitehead (Grapevine/Grapevine HS) leads the team with 13.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.  Ifunanya Mora (Grand Prairie/Arlington Bowie HS) is averaging 11.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game and needs 11 points to reach 1,000 for her career.  Joslinn Douglas (Austin/Del Valle HS) chips in with 11.3 points per game.

The Owls (6-6) are 3-2 at home in the Tudor Fieldhouse.  They are led by star forward Jessica Kuster who is averaging 20.5 points and 13.8 rebounds per game.  She is third in the country in rebounding.  However she is the only player on the squad averaging more than 6.4 points per game.  They average 63.9 points per game and allow 67.0 points per game.
####
pr14002smm