SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team returns to action on Monday as the squad welcomes South Dakota for a 6 p.m. contest at the McDermott Center.
 
OPENING TIP
 
The Cardinals (1-6) will look to capitalize on home-court advantage against the Coyotes (4-4), as they seek their second victory of the season. 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 face Utah and Weber State, before hosting UMass. UIW's remaining non-conference slate includes challenging matchups with Rice, Houston and Texas Tech, all before entering Southland Conference play. RPIratings.com regards the Cardinals' non-conference schedule as one of the toughest in the nation.
 
SCOUTING THE COYOTES
 
Record: 4-4, 0-0 Summit League
Last Game: L 77-55 at Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 2, 2017)
Head Coach: Dawn Plitzuweit
Leaders:
No. 10 Jr. G Allison Arens – 10.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.3 SPG
No. 5 r-Sr. G Jasmine Trimboli – 6.3 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.1 SPG
No. 23 So. G Madison McKeever – 7.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, 2.5 SPG
Summary: The Yotes finished 23-9 last season, including an 11-5 mark in Summit League play. South Dakota is currently 4-4 and coming off of a 77-55 loss to fellow Southland Conference member Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, Texas.
 
The Yotes average 67.9 points, while surrendering 63.8 per contest. South Dakota shoots 42.2 percent from the floor and 33.9 percent from three-point range, while allowing 40.2 percent and 31.7 percent respectively. The Yotes have a +2.7 rebounding margin and a +0.5 turnover margin this season.
 
South Dakota is led by junior guard Allison Arens, who averages 10.1 points, 4.6 boards, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals. Redshirt-senior guard Jasmine Trimboli grabs a team-high 6.1 rebounds, while contributing 6.3 points, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Sophomore guard Madison McKeever averages 7.4 points, 3.0 boards, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 1-6, 0-0 SLC
Last Game: L 64-45 vs. UMass (Nov. 29, 2017)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
No. 11 So. G Imani Robinson – 9.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.1 APG
No. 15 Fr. F Sydnee Wynn – 5.7 RPG, 4.7 PPG
No. 12 Sr. G Melina Merritt – 3.6 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.4 SPG
 
Summary: The Cardinals finished 9-20 last season, including a 7-11 mark in Southland Conference play. UIW is currently 1-6 and coming off of a 64-45 defeat against UMass in San Antonio.
 
The Cardinals average 46.1 points, while surrendering 73.1 per contest. UIW shoots 29.4 percent from the floor and 21.9 percent from beyond the arc, while allowing 44.8 percent and 39.7 percent respectively. The Cardinals hold a -7.4 rebounding margin and a -4.2 turnover margin this season.
 
UIW is led by reigning Southland Conference Freshman of the Year Imani Robinson, who averages 9.6 points, 3.7 boards, 1.9 steals and 1.1 assists. Freshman forward Sydnee Wynn pulls down a team-high 5.7 rebounds, while adding 4.7 points per contest. Senior guard Melina Merritt averages 3.6 points, 2.9 boards, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
The Cardinals and Yotes will meet for the first time in program history on Monday.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals travel to Houston for a 2 p.m. date with Rice on Saturday, Dec. 9.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW makes a return trip to H-Town on Monday, Dec. 18, to face Houston at 11 a.m.