SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team will enter Southland Conference play on Thursday at home as the squad welcomes McNeese for a 6 p.m. battle at the McDermott Center.
 
OPENING TIP
 
The Cardinals (1-10) will look to snap a seven-game skid, while the Cowgirls (4-7) will attempt to win their first game since Nov. 26.
 
UIW opened its baptism-by-fire 2017 schedule at Oklahoma State and UT-Arlington, before hosting regional foe Texas State. The Cardinals traveled more than 2,600 miles over the Thanksgiving holiday to take on Utah and Weber State, before hosting UMass and South Dakota. UIW met Rice, Houston and Texas Tech on the road, all before entering league action.
 
RPIratings.com regards UIW's non-conference slate as one of the toughest in the nation. In the Southland Conference, only Lamar and Central Arkansas have faced a tougher non-conference schedule.
 
SCOUTING THE COWGIRLS
 
Record: 4-7, 0-0 SLC
Last Game: L 65-59 at SMU (Dec. 22, 2017)
Head Coach: Brooks Williams
Leaders:
No. 00 Sr. G Keara Hudnall – 11.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG
No. 05 Sr. F Jasmyn Carswell – 6.4 RPG, 3.3 PPG, 1.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.0 BPG
No. 03 So. G Caitlin Davis – 10.5 PPG, 5.7 APG, 3.5 RPG, 1.4 SPG
Summary: The Cowgirls finished 14-17 last season, including an 8-12 mark against Southland Conference competition. McNeese is currently 4-7, and has lost three consecutive games, including a 65-59 defeat at the hands of SMU on Dec. 22.
 
The Cowgirls average 63.5 points, while surrendering 72.9 per contest. McNeese shoots 34.4 percent from the floor and 25.8 percent from three-point range, while allowing 41.1 percent and 32 percent respectively. The Cowgirls hold a -2.7 rebounding margin and a +0.7 turnover margin this season.
 
McNeese is led by senior guard Keara Hudnall, who averages 11.5 points and 3.5 boards. Senior forward Jasmyn Carswell pulls down a team-high 6.4 rebounds, to go along with 3.3 points, 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. Sophomore guard Caitlin Davis averages 10.5 points, 5.7 assists, 3.5 boards and 1.4 steals.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 1-10, 0-0 SLC
Last Game: L 80-54 at Texas Tech (Dec. 21, 2017)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
No. 11 So. G Imani Robinson – 9.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 1.3 APG
No. 15 Fr. F Sydnee Wynn – 7.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG
No. 12 Sr. G Melina Merritt – 3.5 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.4 SPG
Summary: The Cardinals finished 9-20 last season, including a 7-11 mark in Southland Conference play. UIW is currently 1-10 and coming off of an 80-54 loss to Texas Tech on Dec. 18 in Lubbock.
 
The Cardinals average 48.9 points, while surrendering 75.5 per contest. UIW shoots 30.3 percent from the floor and 22.5 percent from beyond the arc, while allowing 46.6 percent and 38.6 percent respectively. The Cardinals hold a -7 rebounding margin and a -3.3 turnover margin this season.
 
UIW is led by reigning Southland Conference Freshman of the Year Imani Robinson, who averages 9.8 points, 3.9 boards, 1.7 steals and 1.3 assists. Freshman forward Sydnee Wynn pulls down a team-high 6 rebounds, while adding 7.5 points per contest. Senior guard Melina Merritt averages 3.5 points, 2.6 boards, 2.5 assists and 1.4 steals.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
The all-time series between the Cardinals and Cowgirls is tied at two games apiece. McNeese picked up a 78-61 victory in the most recent meeting between programs on Feb. 11, last season in Lake Charles, La.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW will welcome Nicholls to San Antonio for a 1 p.m. date on Saturday.
 
STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals travel to Huntsville on Saturday, Jan. 6 for a 3 p.m. matchup with Sam Houston.
 
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.