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SAN ANTONIO, Texas – After winning back-to-back games for the first time in 350 days, the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team heads to Thibodaux, La. with a ton of confidence, prepared to open Southland Conference play against Nicholls at 1 p.m. on Saturday at David R. Stopher Gymnasium.
 
OPENING TIP
 
The Cardinals (2-9) are riding high after a record-setting 106-79 victory over LSU-Alexandria and 79-66 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville, but UIW is still in search of its first victory against a Division I opponent this season.
 
The Colonels (3-8) have had a roller-coaster year through their first 11 games. Nicholls suffered a 69-67 loss against SWAC school Prairie-View A&M, before handily upsetting ULM, 73-54, in Thibodaux. The Colonels enter Saturday's matchup riding their first four-game losing streak since Dec. 18, 2015.
 
SCOUTING THE COLONELS
 
Record: 3-8
Last Game: L 73-62 at Memphis (Dec. 21)
Head Coach: DoBee Plaisance
Leaders:
#20 So. G Cassidy Barrios – 14.5 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.9 ASG, 2.3 SPG
#02 Fr. G Tykeria Williams – 12.6 PPG, 3.4 SPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.9 APG
#05 r-Sr. G Hope Pawlowski – 11.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.6 SPG, 2.2 APG
Summary: The Colonels enter Saturday's matchup with a 3-8 overall record. Nicholls is riding a five-game losing streak, and coming off of a 73-62 defeat at the hands of Memphis on Dec. 21.
 
The Colonels average 66.0 points, while surrendering 73.3 per contest. Nicholls shoots 34.8 percent from the floor and 31.3 percent from three-point range, while allowing 48.1 percent and 42.6 percent respectively. The Colonels have a -12.5 rebounding margin and a +9.5 turnover margin this season.
 
Nicholls is led by sophomore guard Cassidy Barrios, who averages 14.5 points, 7.8 boards, 2.9 assists and 2.3 steals per game. Freshman guard Tykeria Williams is second on the team in scoring, averaging 12.6 points, to go along with 3.4 steals, 2.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per contest. Redshirt senior guard Hope Pawlowski averages 11.7 points, 4.3 boards, 3.6 steals and 2.2 assists per game.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 2-9
Last Game: W 79-66 vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville (Dec. 28)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
#23 Sr. F Celia Garcia Paunero – 17.2 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.3 SPG
#00 Sr. G Cheyenne Berry – 10.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 SPG
#10 Jr. G Haley Frias – 10.7 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.6 APG
Summary: The Cardinals started the season, 0-9, before downing LSU-Alexandria and Texas A&M-Kingsville in consecutive outings.
 
UIW averages 59.9 points, while surrendering 72.3 per contest. The Cardinals shoot 35.0 percent from the floor and 34.2 percent from the three-point range, while allowing 45.6 percent and 40.4 percent respectively. UIW has a -4.8 rebounding margin and a -0.4 turnover margin this season.
 
The Cardinals are led by senior forward Celia Garcia Paunero, who averages 17.2 points, 10.5 boards, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals per contest. Senior guard Cheyenne Berry dishes out a team-leading 3.7 assists per game, while contributing 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals. Junior guard Haley Frias averages 10.7 points, 3.1 boards and 1.6 assists per contest.
 
SERIES HISTORY

UIW trails, 4-1, in the all-time series against Nicholls. The Cardinals and Colonels split last year's two-game series, with each team stealing a win on their opponent's home floor. Nicholls came away with a 66-64 victory on Jan. 30 in San Antonio, while UIW earned a 63-61 win on Feb. 3 in Thibodaux.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals open 2017 in Hammond, with a league matchup against Southeastern Louisiana at 2 p.m. on January 2.

STAY TUNED
 
UIW returns to the Alamo City for a skirmish with Northwestern State at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 5 at the McDermott Convocation Center.
 
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.