SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team will host Nicholls for a 1 p.m. matchup on Saturday at the McDermott Center.
 
OPENING TIP
 
The Cardinals (1-11, 0-1 SLC) are coming off of a Southland Conference-opening loss to McNeese on Thursday, and will look to snap an eight-game losing streak with a win over the Colonels (6-6, 1-0 SLC).
 
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.
 
In the Southland, only Lamar and Central Arkansas faced a tougher non-conference schedule according to RPIratings.com.
 
SCOUTING THE COLONELS
 
Record: 6-6, 1-0 SLC
Last Game: W 79-63 at Northwestern State (Dec. 28, 2017)
Head Coach: DoBee Plaisance
Leaders:
No. 20 Jr. G Cassidy Barrios – 15.3 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 3.3 SPG, 3.1 APG, 1.3 BPG
No. 00 So. G Tykeria Williams – 12.9 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.9 SPG
No. 03 Sr. G Tia Charles – 7.9 PPG, 3.3 APG, 2.8 RPG, 2.8 SPG
Summary: The Colonels finished 10-20 last season, including an 7-11 mark against Southland Conference competition. Nicholls is currently 6-6 overall and 1-0 in league play, after picking up a 79-63 victory over Northwestern State on Thursday in Natchitoches, La.
 
The Colonels average 65.9 points, while surrendering 65.9 per contest. Nicholls shoots 38.7 percent from the floor and 27.2 percent from three-point range, while allowing 41.7 percent and 31.1 percent respectively. The Colonels hold a -4.4 rebounding margin and a +3.4 turnover margin this season.
 
Nicholls is led by junior guard Cassidy Barrios, who averages 15.3 points, 9.2 boards, 3.3 steals, 3.1 assists and 1.3 blocks. Sophomore guard Tykeria Williams contributes 12.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Senior guard Tia Charles averages 7.9 points, 3.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 2.8 steals.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 1-11, 0-1 SLC
Last Game: L 66-57 vs. McNeese (Dec. 28, 2017)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
No. 11 So. G Imani Robinson – 10.6 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.6 APG
No. 15 Fr. F Sydnee Wynn – 7.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG
No. 12 Sr. G Melina Merritt – 3.9 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.3 SPG
Summary: The Cardinals finished 9-20 last season, including a 7-11 mark against Southland Conference competition. UIW is currently 1-11 overall and 0-1 in league play, after suffering a 66-57 loss at the hands of McNeese on Thursday in San Antonio.
 
The Cardinals average 49.6 points, while surrendering 74.8 per contest. UIW shoots 31.2 percent from the floor and 22.4 percent from beyond the arc, while allowing 45.7 percent and 37.6 percent respectively. The Cardinals hold a -7.5 rebounding margin and a -3.1 turnover margin this season.
 
UIW is led by reigning Southland Conference Freshman of the Year Imani Robinson, who averages 10.6 points, 4.0 boards, 1.9 steals and 1.6 assists. Freshman forward Sydnee Wynn pulls down a team-high 5.7 rebounds, while adding 7.2 points per contest. Senior guard Melina Merritt averages 3.9 points, 2.8 boards, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
Nicholls holds a 4-3 advantage in the all-time series with UIW, but the Cardinals swept last season's two-game series. UIW picked up a 78-52 victory on Dec. 31, 2016 in Thibodaux, La., before earning a 69-63 win on Feb. 22, 2017 in San Antonio.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals travel to Huntsville on Saturday, Jan. 6 for a 3 p.m. matchup with Sam Houston.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW hosts Central Arkansas at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10 in San Antonio.
 
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.