The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team will look to go 3-for-3 in their season-opening four-game home stand, when the Cardinals host McMurry Friday at 6 p.m. from the McDermott Center.
FIRST TIP
The game will feature the first-ever meeting on the hardwood between the Cardinals and War Hawks. The last time the Cardinals faced a team from the American Southwest Conference was Howard Payne on Nov. 21, 2016, in San Antonio; a game in which UIW won, 93-90.
Similar to the first two games this season, Friday's contest will count for the Cardinals but will be an exhibition for Division III's McMurry.
SCOUTING THE McMURRY WAR HAWKS
2017-18: 0-0, 0-0 ASC
Last Game: L 97-68 at Wayland Baptist (exh.; 11/10)
Head Coach: Zach Pickelman
Summary: Division III's McMurry opened its season with a 97-68 exhibition loss at NAIA's Wayland Baptist. Parker Gettys led the War Hawks with nine points, while Elijah Johnson, Krishawn Terry, and Shakur Smith each had eight.
McMurry lost last season's leading scorer, Nate Estrada (15.1 points per game), but return second leading scorer, LaRandall Scroggins, who averaged 12.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season, along with 15 steals and 13 blocks. The War Hawks were selected fifth in the American Southwest Conference Preseason Poll.
THE CARDINAL FILE
2017-18: 2-0, 0-0 SLC
Last Game: W 93-57 vs. Trinity (11/13)
Head Coach: Ken Burmeister
Key Players:
#3
Simi Socks – 2 GP, 18.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3 STLS, 3 BLKS
#13
Charles Brown III – 2 GP, 15.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 59.1 FG%
#41
Shawn Johnson – 2 GP, 6.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 8 STLS, 4 BLKS
Summary: UIW improved to 2-0 on the season following a 93-57 victory over visiting Trinity. Friday's match features the third-straight game the contest will count for the Cardinals, but will be an exhibition for the opponent.
Simi Socks led five Cardinals in double-figures on Monday, scoring a game-high 19 points.
Christian Peevy recorded his first-collegiate double-double with 16 points and 10 boards, while
Shawn Johnson pulled down a game-best 11 rebounds.
On the season, Socks leads the team with 18.5 points per game, followed by
Charles Brown III (15.5), Peevy (12.5), and
Sam Burmeister (10.5).
Shawn Johnson and Brown III are tops with 7.5 rebounds apiece, while Johnson leads the Cardinals in blocks (4) and steals (8). As a team, UIW leads the conference in blocks per game (8.0), steals per game (13.5), and shares first place in turnover margin (+11.0).
UP NEXT
UIW plays its first Division I opponent of the season, hosting Loyola Marymount on Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m.
STAY TUNED
The Cardinals hit the road for the first time, facing Houston on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information on Incarnate Word Athletics visit uiwcardinals.com. Be sure to follow Incarnate Word Athletics on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like Incarnate Word Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.
