SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus may be closing, but fans of the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team can still watch the Cardinals attempt to tame the Lions as the squad welcomes Southeastern Louisiana to the McDermott Convocation Center at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.
 
OPENING TIP
 
UIW (4-13, 2-4 SLC) opened the year with nine consecutive losses, before picking up four straight wins for the first time since November 2013. The Cardinals started 2-0 in Southland Conference play, including an 85-76 victory over the Lions (3-14, 1-5 SLC) on Jan. 2, but have since dropped four straight.
 
SCOUTING THE LIONS
 
Record: 3-14, 1-5 SLC
Last Game: L 86-83 at McNeese (Jan. 15)
Head Coach: Errol Gauff
Leaders:
#14 Jr. G Taylin Underwood – 18.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.4 SPG
#13 Fr. G Taz Stinson – 6.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.2 SPG
#05 Fr. G Charliee Dugas – 10.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.5 SPG
Summary: The Lions enter Thursday's matchup with a 3-14 overall record and a 1-5 mark in Southland Conference play. Southeastern La. is riding a three-game losing streak and coming off of an 86-83 loss to McNeese on Sunday.
 
The Lions average 63.1 points, while surrendering 83.6 per contest. Southeastern La. shoots 37.9 percent from the floor and 31.1 percent from three-point range, while allowing 46.0 percent and 33.1 percent respectively. The Lions have a -14.7 rebounding margin and a -3.0 turnover margin this season.
 
Southeastern La. is led by junior guard Taylin Underwood, who averages 18.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Freshman guard Taz Stinson pulls down a team-high 4.6 rebounds, to go along with 6.2 points and 1.2 steals per contest. Freshman guard Charliee Dugas averages 10.2 points, 2.9 boards and 1.5 steals per game.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 4-13, 2-4 SLC
Last Game: L 68-51 at HBU (Jan. 14)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
#23 Sr. F Celia Garcia Paunero – 17.1 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.2 SPG
#00 Sr. G Cheyenne Berry – 12.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.1 SPG
#11 Fr. G Imani Robinson – 10.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.7 APG
Summary: The Cardinals started the season, 0-9, before rattling off four consecutive victories, including two against Southland opponents. UIW has since dropped four straight games. The Cardinals are coming off of a stunning 68-51 defeat against HBU on Thursday. UIW led for the majority of the game, but 21 unanswered points by the Huskies over the third and fourth quarters proved to be the Cardinals' undoing.
 
UIW averages 62.8 points, while surrendering 71.8 per contest. The Cardinals shoot 38.0 percent from the floor and 34.9 percent from the three-point range, while allowing 45.6 percent and 39.0 percent respectively. UIW has a -3.7 rebounding margin and a -0.6 turnover margin this season.
 
The Cardinals are led by senior forward Celia Garcia Paunero, who averages 17.1 points, 9.5 boards, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals per contest. Senior guard Cheyenne Berry dishes out a team-leading 3.7 assists per game, while contributing 12.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals. Freshman guard Imani Robinson averages 10.1 points, 5.4 boards and 1.7 assists per contest.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
UIW holds a 3-1 advantage in the all-time series against Southeastern La. The Cardinals picked up an 85-76 victory in the most recent meeting between programs on Jan. 2, this season. Garcia Paunero scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to pace UIW in the win.
 
UP NEXT
 
Following Thursday's action, the Cardinals will host Stephen F. Austin at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21. The matchup will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN App.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW welcomes Abilene Christian to the McDermott Convocation Center at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26.
 
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.