SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team will look to get back on track as the squad heads to Beaumont for a matchup with Lamar at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Montagne Center.
 
OPENING TIP
 
UIW (4-11, 2-2 SLC) will face a difficult challenge against LU (10-3, 3-0 SLC) in the Battle of the Cardinals. Lamar picked up impressive non-conference wins over Northern Arizona and Canisius, before sweeping its first three Southland Conference games. LU's three losses this season came against No. 17 Oregon State, Oregon and Kansas State.
 
Thursday's action can be viewed live on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN App.
 
SCOUTING THE LAMAR CARDINALS

Record: 10-3, 3-0 SLC
Last Game: W 86-68 vs. Southeastern Louisiana (Jan. 7)
Head Coach: Robin Harmony
Leaders:
#23 So. G Moe Kinard – 16.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.0 SPG
#33 Sr. F Kiandra Bowers – 12.8 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.8 SPG
#10 So. G Chastadie Barrs – 8.1 PPG, 6.5 APG, 5.8 RPG, 4.6 SPG
Summary: The Cardinals enter Thursday's matchup with a 10-3 overall record and a 3-0 mark in Southland Conference play. Lamar is riding a nine-game winning streak and coming off of an 86-68 dismantling of Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday.
 
The Cardinals average 75.4 points, while surrendering 59.1 per contest. Lamar shoots 40.0 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from three-point range, while allowing 39.2 percent and 35.4 percent respectively. The Cardinals have a +4.3 rebounding margin and a +10.4 turnover margin this season.
 
Lamar is led by sophomore guard Moe Kinard, who averages 16.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game. Senior forward Kiandra Bowers pulls down a team-high 10.2 rebounds, to go along with 12.8 points and 2.8 steals per contest. Sophomore guard Chastadie Barrs averages 8.1 points, 6.5 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 4.6 steals per game.
 
THE UIW CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 4-11, 2-2 SLC
Last Game: L 71-67 vs. New Orleans (Jan. 7)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
#23 Sr. F Celia Garcia Paunero – 17.4 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.3 SPG
#00 Sr. G Cheyenne Berry – 12.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.1 SPG
#10 Jr. G Haley Frias – 10.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.5 APG
Summary: The Cardinals started the season, 0-9, before rattling off four consecutive victories, including two against Southland opponents. Despite the strong start to league play, UIW is coming off of back-to-back heartbreaking losses to Northwestern State and New Orleans at home. The Cardinals climbed back from large deficits in both games, only to come up short on last-second shot attempts.
 
UIW averages 64.2 points, while surrendering 71.3 per contest. The Cardinals shoot 38.5 percent from the floor and 36.1 percent from the three-point range, while allowing 45.1 percent and 38.0 percent respectively. UIW has a -2.6 rebounding margin and a -0.6 turnover margin this season.
 
The Cardinals are led by senior forward Celia Garcia Paunero, who averages 17.4 points, 10.0 boards, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals per contest. Senior guard Cheyenne Berry dishes out a team-leading 3.7 assists per game, while contributing 12.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals. Junior guard Haley Frias averages 10.1 points, 3.0 boards and 1.5 assists per contest.
 
SERIES HISTORY

UIW is 0-5 in the all-time series against Lamar. LU swept last season's two-game series, picking up a 59-49 victory on Feb. 6 in Beaumont and a 67-61 win on Feb. 27 in San Antonio.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW travels to Houston on Jan. 14 for a 1 p.m. matchup with Houston Baptist.

STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals host Southeastern La. at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9 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.