SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team will look to keep its Southland Conference record unblemished as the squad welcomes Northwestern State and New Orleans to the McDermott Convocation Center this week.
 
OPENING TIP
 
The Cardinals (4-9, 2-0 SLC) host the Demons (6-7, 0-2 SLC) at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, before a battle with the Privateers (6-6, 1-1 SLC) at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Convo.
 
UIW is off to its best start in league play since joining the Southland Conference. The Cardinals are riding their first four-game winning streak since November of 2013, and have won more games in the last 15 days than the previous 391.
 
SCOUTING THE DEMONS

Record: 6-7, 0-2 SLC
Last Game: L 76-43 at Central Arkansas (Jan. 2)
Head Coach: Jordan Dupuy
Leaders:
#30 Sr. G Beatrice Attura – 18.2 PPG, 3.9 APG, 3.3 RPG, 2.4 SPG
#32 So. G Cheyenne Brown – 10.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.2 APG
#12 Sr. G Shahd Abboud – 8.3 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.2 SPG
Summary: The Demons enter Thursday's matchup with a 6-7 overall record and an 0-2 mark in Southland Conference play. Northwestern St. is riding a three-game losing streak and coming off of a 76-42 defeat at the hands of Central Arkansas on Monday.
 
The Demons average 65.1 points, while surrendering 69.5 per contest. Northwestern St. shoots 39.1 percent from the floor and 27.3 percent from three-point range, while allowing 41.3 percent and 29.8 percent respectively. The Demons have a -2.0 rebounding margin and a -2.0 turnover margin this season.
 
Northwestern St. is led by senior guard Beatrice Attura, who averages 18.2 points, 3.9 assists, 3.3 boards and 2.4 steals per game. Sophomore guard Cheyenne Brown pulls down a team-high 5.6 rebounds, to go along with 10.8 points and 1.2 assists per contest. Senior guard Shahd Abboud averages 8.3 points, 2.8 boards, 1.2 steals and 1.2 assists per game.
 
SCOUTING THE PRIVATEERS
 
Record: 6-6, 1-1 SLC
Last Game: L 68-55 at Abilene Christian (Jan. 3)
Head Coach: Keeshawn Davenport
Leaders:
#22 Jr. G Randi Brown – 21.4 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.8 SPG
#30 So. C Shania Woods – 8.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 APG
#03 Sr. G Jewel Angelo – 8.1 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.5 APG
Summary: The Privateers enter Saturday's matchup with a 6-6 overall record and a 1-1 mark in Southland Conference play. New Orleans suffered a 68-55 road defeat at Abilene Christian on Tuesday and will have to face Lamar in Beaumont on Thursday, before heading to San Antonio.
 
The Privateers average 71.3 points, while surrendering 63.7 per contest. New Orleans shoots 42.5 percent from the floor and 36.4 percent from three-point range, while allowing 40.4 percent and 32.5 percent respectively. The Privateers have a +1.8 rebounding margin and a +4.1 turnover margin this season.
 
New Orleans is led by junior guard Randi Brown, who averages 21.4 points, 3.9 boards, 2.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Sophomore center Shania Woods pulls down a team-high 7.2 rebounds, while contributing 8.2 points, 1.0 steals and 0.8 assists per contest. Senior guard Jewel Angelo averages 8.1 points, 2.4 boards and 1.5 assists per game.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 4-9, 2-0 SLC
Last Game: W 85-76 at Southeastern La. (Jan. 2)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
#23 Sr. F Celia Garcia Paunero – 17.2 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.4 SPG
#00 Sr. G Cheyenne Berry – 12.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.2 SPG
#10 Jr. G Haley Frias – 11.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.7 APG
Summary: The Cardinals started the season, 0-9, before rattling off four consecutive victories, including two against Southland opponents.
 
UIW averages 63.2 points, while surrendering 71.0 per contest. The Cardinals shoot 37.5 percent from the floor and 35.6 percent from the three-point range, while allowing 44.2 percent and 36.9 percent respectively. UIW has a -2.1 rebounding margin and a -1.0 turnover margin this season.
 
The Cardinals are led by senior forward Celia Garcia Paunero, who averages 17.2 points, 10.4 boards, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals per contest. Senior guard Cheyenne Berry dishes out a team-leading 3.9 assists per game, while contributing 12.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals. Junior guard Haley Frias averages 11.2 points, 3.4 boards and 1.7 assists per contest.
 
SERIES HISTORY

Northwestern State holds a 4-1 advantage in the all-time series with UIW. The Demons earned a 53-48 victory over the Cardinals in the most recent meeting between programs on Jan. 9, last season in San Antonio.
 
UIW maintains a 2-1 edge in the all-time series against New Orleans. The Privateers stole a 55-49 win on Jan. 7, last season in New Orleans.
 
UP NEXT
 
Following this weekend's action the Cardinals will head to Beaumont for a 7 p.m. date with Lamar on Thursday, Jan. 12.

STAY TUNED
 
UIW travels to Houston on Jan. 14 for a 1 p.m. matchup with Houston Baptist.
 
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.