SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team will welcome archrival Houston Baptist to the McDermott Convocation Center for a Black Out battle at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.
 
OPENING TIP

Fans in attendance will receive a UIW Yowie, which is a multi-functional rally wear item (more information here).


Coming off of consecutive matchups with the top three teams in the Southland Conference, the Cardinals (5-16, 3-7 SLC) will pursue their first victory over the Huskies (4-14, 2-6 SLC) in program history. UIW will look to avenge their improbable Jan. 14 loss to HBU, in which the Cardinals led by six points late in the third quarter, before allowing 21 unanswered by the Huskies.
 
SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
 
Record: 4-14, 2-6 SLC
Last Game: L 76-57 at Nicholls (Jan. 25)
Head Coach: Donna Finnie
Leaders:
#05 So. G Lisa Zderadicka – 9.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.2 SPG
#24 Fr. F Taylor Kollmorgen – 7.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.1 BPG
#03 Sr. G Heidi Byrd – 8.6 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.6 APG
Summary: The Huskies enter Thursday's matchup with a 4-14 overall record and a 2-6 mark in Southland Conference play. HBU is riding a two-game losing streak and coming off of a 76-57 loss to Nicholls on Jan. 25 in Thibodaux, La.
 
The Huskies average 56.0 points, while surrendering 75.1 per contest. HBU shoots 34.1 percent from the floor and 29.2 percent from three-point range, while allowing 43.6 percent and 35.9 percent respectively. The Huskies have a -6.7 rebounding margin and a -4.4 turnover margin this season.
 
HBU is led by sophomore guard Lisa Zderadicka, who averages 9.9 points, 4.1 boards, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Freshman forward Taylor Kollmorgen pulls down a team-high 7.1 rebounds, to go along with 7.4 points and 1.1 blocks per contest. Senior guard Heidi Byrd averages 8.6 points, 2.6 boards and 1.6 assists per game.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 5-16, 3-7 SLC
Last Game: L 63-50 at Central Arkansas (Jan. 28)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
#23 Sr. F Celia Garcia Paunero – 17.4 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.3 SPG
#00 Sr. G Cheyenne Berry – 11.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.0 SPG
#11 Fr. G Imani Robinson – 11.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.2 SPG
Summary: The Cardinals have already matched their 2015-16 Southland Conference win total with eight league games remaining. UIW is coming off of a 63-50 defeat at the hands of Central Arkansas on Saturday in Conway.
 
The Cardinals average 64.5 points, while surrendering 71.9 per contest. UIW shoots 38.4 percent from the floor and 34.5 percent from the three-point range, while allowing 44.5 percent and 37.0 percent respectively. The Cardinals have a -3.5 rebounding margin and a -0.5 turnover margin this season.
 
UIW is led by senior forward Celia Garcia Paunero, who averages 17.4 points, 10.6 boards, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals per contest. Senior guard Cheyenne Berry dishes out a team-leading 3.7 assists per game, while contributing 11.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals. Freshman guard Imani Robinson averages 11.5 points, 5.7 boards, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals per contest.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
HBU owns an 8-0 advantage in the all-time series with UIW. The Huskies picked up a 68-51 victory when the teams last met in Houston on Jan. 14, this season. Garcia Paunero paced the Cardinals with 18 points, but was held to just three rebounds, well below her season average. Zderadicka led the Huskies with a 15-board, 13-point double-double.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW will head to Louisiana for a battle with New Orleans at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9.
 
STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals are set for a date with McNeese at 12:45 p.m. on Feb. 11 in Lake Charles, La.
 
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.