SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball program will continue its grueling voyage through non-conference play with a pair of road tests at Utah and Weber State this weekend. The Cardinals battle the Utes at 4:30 p.m. on Friday in Salt Lake City, before traveling to Ogden for a date with the Wildcats at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
 
OPENING TIP
 
UIW (1-3) started the year with back-to-back road games at Oklahoma State and UT-Arlington, before hosting regional foe Texas State. The Cardinals took a one-game respite from Division I competition with a victory over Division III UMHB on Nov. 20, but now face an extremely challenging schedule that includes matchups with Utah, Weber State, UMASS, South Dakota, Rice, Houston and Texas Tech, all before entering Southland Conference play.
 
SCOUTING THE UTES
 
Record: 3-1, 0-0 PAC-12
Last Game: W 81-68 vs. Purdue (Nov. 20, 2017)
Head Coach: Lynne Roberts
Leaders:
No. 5 r-Jr. F Megan Huff – 18 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.7 BPG, 1.0 APG
No. 12 Sr. F Emily Potter – 10.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.3 APG
No. 11 Jr. G Erika Bean – 5.8 APG, 5.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Summary: The Utes finished 16-15 last season, including an 5-13 mark in PAC-12 Conference play. Utah is currently 3-1 and coming off of an 81-68 victory over Purdue on Nov. 20 in Salt Lake City.
 
The Utes average 78.3 points, while surrendering 63 per contest. Utah shoots 44.9 percent from the floor and 39.8 percent from three-point range, while allowing 39.8 percent and 37.9 percent respectively. The Utes have a +12.5 rebounding margin and a +1 turnover margin this season.
 
Utah is led by redshirt-junior forward Megan Huff, who averages 18 points, 7.5 boards, 1.7 blocks and 1 assist. Junior guard Erika Bean contributes 5.8 assists, 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1 block per game, while senior forward Emily Potter averages 10.5 points, 8.5 boards and 1.3 assists.
 
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
 
Record: 2-1, 0-0 Big Sky
Last Game: W 80-70 v. Antelope Valley (Nov. 20, 2017)
Head Coach: Bethann Ord
Leaders:
No. 11 r-Jr. G Larryn Brooks - 18 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.0 SPG
No. 05 Sr. F Briana Gray – 11.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 BPG
No. 00 Jr. G Jaiamoni Welch-Coleman – 7.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 4.0 APG
Summary: The Wildcats finished 13-18 last season, including an 6-12 mark in Big Sky Conference action. Weber State is currently 2-1 and coming off of an 80-70 victory over Antelope Valley on Nov. 20 in Ogden.
 
The Wildcats average 71 points, while surrendering 70.7 per contest. Weber State shoots 40.1 percent from the floor and 32.3 percent from three-point range, while allowing 41.7 percent and 37.1 percent respectively. The Wildcats have a +3 rebounding margin and a -2.7 turnover margin this season.
 
Weber State is led by redshirt-junior guard Larryn Brooks, who averages 18 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1 steal. Senior forward Briana Gray contributes 11.7 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block per game, while junior guard Jaiamoni Welch-Coleman averages 7.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4 assists.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 1-3, 0-0 SLC
Last Game: W 76-58 vs. UMHB (Nov. 20, 2017)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
No. 11 So. G Imani Robinson – 11.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.0 SPG
No. 15 Fr. F Sydnee Wynn – 5.5 RPG, 5.3 PPG
No. 12 Sr. G Melina Merritt – 4.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.0 SPG
 
Summary: The Cardinals finished 9-20 last season, including a 7-11 mark in Southland Conference play. UIW is currently 1-3 and coming off of a 76-58 victory over UMHB on Nov. 20 in San Antonio.
 
The Cardinals average 48 points, while surrendering 69.8 per contest. UIW shoots 32.7 percent from the floor and 20.5 percent from beyond the arc, while allowing 40.2 percent and 36.3 percent respectively. The Cardinals hold a -6 rebounding margin and a -5.5 turnover margin this season.
 
UIW is led by reigning Southland Conference Freshman of the Year Imani Robinson, who averages 11.3 points, 4 boards, 1.8 assists and 1 steal. Freshman forward Sydnee Wynn contributes 5.5 rebounds and 5.3 points per game, while senior guard Melina Merritt averages 4.3 points, 3 boards, 2.5 assists and 1 steal.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
The Cardinals will meet both the Utes and Wildcats for the first time in program history this weekend.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW hosts UMASS at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at the McDermott Center.
 
STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals open the month of December with a 6 p.m. battle against South Dakota on Dec. 4 at home.