CONWAY, Ark. – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team's arduous schedule continues as the squad travels more than 600 miles to Conway for a 2 p.m. matchup with Central Arkansas on Saturday.
 
OPENING TIP
 
The Cardinals (5-15, 3-6 SLC) faced back-to-back matchups with the top two teams in the Southland Conference, and will have less than 48 hours before taking on the Sugar Bears (14-4, 6-2 SLC), who currently sit at third in the league standings.
 
SCOUTING THE SUGAR BEARS
 
Record: 14-4, 6-2 SLC
Last Game: W 67-63 at Stephen F. Austin (Jan. 25)
Head Coach: Sandra Rushing
Leaders:
#20 Jr. C Jordan Kierra – 14.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.0 SPG
#04 Sr. C Raquel Logan – 6.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.7 BPG, 1.3 APG, 1.3 SPG
#10 Sr. G Brianna Mullins – 7.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.6 SPG
Summary: The Sugar Bears enter Thursday's matchup with a 14-4 overall record and a 6-2 mark in Southland Conference play. Central Arkansas is riding a five-game winning streak and coming off of a 67-63 upset of Stephen F. Austin on Jan. 25 in Nacogdoches, Texas.
 
The Sugar Bears average 68.3 points, while surrendering 52.9 per contest. Abilene Christian shoots 46.8 percent from the floor and 32.5 percent from three-point range, while allowing 35.4 percent and 33.8 percent respectively. The Sugar Bears have a +5.3 rebounding margin and a +3.3 turnover margin this season.
 
Central Arkansas is led by a trio of upperclassmen, including junior center Jordan Kierra, who averages 14.8 points, 6.3 boards and 1.0 steals per game. Senior center Raquel Logan pulls down a team-high 6.7 rebounds, to go along with 6.7 points, 1.7 blocks, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals per contest. Senior guard Brianna Mullins averages 7.8 points, 4.1 boards, 4.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 5-15, 3-6 SLC
Last Game: L 75-66 vs. Abilene Christian (Jan. 26)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
#23 Sr. F Celia Garcia Paunero – 17.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.3 SPG
#00 Sr. G Cheyenne Berry – 12.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.1 SPG
#11 Fr. G Imani Robinson – 10.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.2 SPG
Summary: The Cardinals have already matched their 2015-16 Southland Conference win total with nine league games still remaining. UIW is coming off of a 75-66 defeat at the hands of Abilene Christian on Thursday in San Antonio.
 
The Cardinals average 65.3 points, while surrendering 72.3 per contest. UIW shoots 38.5 percent from the floor and 34.6 percent from the three-point range, while allowing 44.7 percent and 36.7 percent respectively. The Cardinals have a -2.9 rebounding margin and a -0.4 turnover margin this season.
 
UIW is led by senior forward Celia Garcia Paunero, who averages 17.8 points, 10.8 boards, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals per contest. Senior guard Cheyenne Berry dishes out a team-leading 3.9 assists per game, while contributing 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals. Freshman guard Imani Robinson averages 10.9 points, 5.7 boards, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals per contest.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
Central Arkansas owns a 3-0 advantage in the all-time series against UIW. The Sugar Bears picked up a 76-57 victory in last season's lone meeting in San Antonio.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals host rival Houston Baptist at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW heads to Louisiana for a battle with New Orleans at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9.
 
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.