SAN ANTONIO, Texas – After a pair of regional games in the Lone Star state to open the 2016-17 season, the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team will bundle up and head to Montana for a two-game road-swing at the Lady Griz Classic in Missoula.
 
OPENING TIP
 
The Cardinals (0-2) will open the tournament against the host Grizzlies (1-2) on Wednesday at 8 p.m. CT. UIW conclude the tournament with a 3 p.m. CT matchup against Utah State (3-0) on Friday.
 
SCOUTING THE GRIZ
 
Record: 1-2
Last Game: L 59-58 vs. Massachusetts (Nov. 20)
Head Coach: Shannon Schweyen
Leaders:
#03 Fr. G Gabi Harrington – 9.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.0 SPG
#32 Fr. G McKenzie Johnston – 7.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.0 SPG
#22 Jr. F Mekayla Isaak – 6.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.0 SPG
Summary: The Griz enter the Lady Griz Classic at 1-2 and are coming off of a heartbreaking 59-58 loss to Massachusetts on a buzzer-beating three-pointer.
 
Montana averages 55.7 points, while surrendering 66.0 per contest. The Griz shoot 30.3 percent from the floor and 22.2 percent from three-point range, while allowing 43.6 percent and 33.3 percent respectively. Montana has a +5.3 rebounding margin and a -0.7 turnover margin this season. The Griz are led by freshman guard Gabi Harrington, who averages 9.3 points, 3.3 boards, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game. Junior forward Mekayla Isaak grabs a team-high 7.3 rebounds per contest, while averaging 6.0 points, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals. Freshman guard McKenzie Johnston is second on the squad in both points (7.7) and boards (6.0) per game, while adding 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals per contest.
 
SCOUTING THE AGGIES
 
Record: 3-0
Last Game: W 66-52 vs. UC Irvine (Nov. 17)
Head Coach: Jerry Finkbeiner
Leaders:
#22 So. G Rachel Brewster – 15.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 SPG
#05 Fr. F Shannon Difficy – 10.5 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.7 SPG
#01 Fr. G Eliza West – 6.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.7 APG, 3.3 SPG
Summary: The Aggies enter the Lady Griz Classic at 3-0 and are coming off of a decisive 66-52 win over UC Irvine in Logan, Utah.
 
Utah State averages 67.3 points, while holding opponents to 52.3 per game. The Aggies shoot 37.5 percent from the field and 32.4 percent from beyond the arc, while allowing 35.9 percent and 28.1 percent respectively. Utah State has a +7.3 rebounding margin and a +9.0 turnover margin this season. The Aggies are led by sophomore guard Rachel Brewster, who averages 15.0 points, 4.0 boards, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per contest. Freshman forward Shannon Difficy grabs a team-high 11.5 rebounds per game, while averaging 10.5 points, 3.0 assists and 1.7 steals. Freshman guard Eliza West leads the Utah State offense with 3.7 assists per contest, while contributing 6.7 points, 4.3 boards and 3.3 steals per contest.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 0-2
Last Game: L 67-50 at Texas State (Nov. 15)
Head Coach: Christy smith
Leaders:
#23 Sr. F Celia Garcia Paunero – 14.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.5 APG
#0 Sr. G Cheyenne Berry – 7.5 PPG, 3.5 APG, 2.5 RPG
#12 Jr. G Melina Merritt – 6.5 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.0 SPG
Summary: The Cardinals enter the Lady Griz Classic at 0-2 and are coming off of a 67-50 road-loss at Texas State.
 
UIW averages 45.0 points, while surrendering 77.5 per contest. The Cardinals shoot 27.5 percent from the floor and 20.9 percent from the three-point range, while allowing 46.9 percent and 31.4 percent respectively. UIW has a -9.0 rebounding margin and a -8.5 turnover margin this season. The Cardinals are led by senior forward Celia Garcia Paunero, who averages 14.0 points, 8.0 boards and 1.5 assists per game. Senior guard Cheyenne Berry dishes out a team-leading 3.5 assists, while adding 7.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per contest. Junior guard Melina Merrit contributes 6.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game for UIW.
 
SERIES HISTORY

The Cardinals will meet both the Griz and the Aggies for the first time in program history.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW returns to San Antonio for the team's home-opener against Eastern Michigan at the McDermott Convocation Center on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 5:30 p.m.

STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals will host Rice at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3.
 
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics visit uiwcardinals.com. Be sure to follow UIW Athletics on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.