SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team will play the first home game of its 2017-18 campaign on Wednesday as the squad welcomes regional foe Texas State for a 6 p.m. battle at the McDermott Center.
OPENING TIP
While other teams opt to begin their seasons with less-than-challenging tune-ups against non-Division I opponents, the Cardinals (0-2) have chosen a different path – baptism by fire. UIW opened the year with back-to-back road matchups at Oklahoma State and UT-Arlington, before hosting Texas State on Wednesday. The Cardinals will face Utah, Weber State, UMASS, South Dakota, Rice, Houston and Texas Tech, all before entering Southland Conference play.
SCOUTING THE BOBCATS
Record: 1-0, 0-0 Sun Belt
Last Game: W 87-70 at Texas Tech (Nov. 12, 2017)
Head Coach: Zenarae Antoine
Leaders:
No. 23 Sr. G Taeler Deer – 44 PPG, 8 APG, 5 RPG
No. 24 So. G Brooke Holle – 17 PPG, 4 SPG, 2 APG, 1 RPG
No. 15 Sr. F Ericka May – 11 RPG, 3 SPG
Summary: The Bobcats finished 16-15 last season, including an 11-7 mark in Sun Belt play. Texas State is coming off of an 87-70 victory over Texas Tech on Nov. 12 in Lubbock.
The Bobcats average 87 points, while surrendering 70 per contest. Texas State shoots 52.3 percent from the floor and 38.2 percent from three-point range, while allowing 50.9 percent and 16.7 percent respectively. The Bobcats have a -10 rebounding margin and a +13 turnover margin this season.
Texas State is led by senior guard Taeler Deer who racked up 44 points, 8 assists and 5 boards in the Bobcats' season-opener. Sophomore guard Brooke Holle contributed 17 points, 4 steals, 2 assists and a rebound, while senior forward Ericka May turned in 11 boards and 3 steals against the Red Raiders.
THE CARDINAL FILE
Record: 0-2, 0-0 SLC
Last Game: L 61-48 at UT-Arlington (Nov. 11, 2017)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
No. 11 So. G
Imani Robinson – 10 PPG, 4 RPG
No. 24 Jr. C
Quincy Baker – 6.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG,
No. 4 Jr. G
Gabbi Bowie – 6.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.5 APG
Summary: The Cardinals finished 9-20 last season, including a 7-11 mark in Southland Conference play. UIW is coming off of a 61-48 defeat at UT-Arlington on Nov. 11.
The Cardinals average 41.5 points, while surrendering 73.5 per contest. UIW shoots 29.8 percent from the floor and 19.2 percent from beyond the arc, while allowing 44.9 percent and 33.3 percent respectively. The Cardinals hold a -5 rebounding margin and a -12 turnover margin this season.
UIW is led by reigning Southland Conference Freshman of the Year
Imani Robinson, who averages 10 points and 4 boards per game. Junior center
Quincy Baker has contributed 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest, while junior guard
Gabbi Bowie has turned in 6 points, 4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.
SERIES HISTORY
The Cardinals and Bobcats have met just three times in program history. Texas State earned a 67-50 victory over UIW in the most recent meeting between programs, on Nov. 15, last season in San Marcos. The Cardinals trailed by just four points heading into the fourth quarter, but the Bobcats surged in the final frame to seal the win.
UP NEXT
UIW will host UMHB at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 20.
STAY TUNED
The Cardinals travel to Salt Lake City for a road test against Utah at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24.
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.
