SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team will travel down I10 this weekend for a 2 p.m. matchup with Rice on Saturday in Houston.
 
OPENING TIP
 
The Cardinals (1-7) will attempt to snap a four-game skid, while the Owls (5-2) hope to bounce back from a narrow defeat at the hands of No. 18 Texas A&M on Nov. 29.
 
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 and South Dakota. UIW's remaining non-conference slate includes challenging matchups with 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 OWLS
 
Record: 5-2, 0-0 Conference USA
Last Game: L 82-76 at No. 18 Texas A&M (Nov. 29, 2017)
Head Coach: Tina Langley
Leaders:
No. 13 r-So. G Erica Ogwumike – 19.7 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 3.0 SPG, 2.4 APG
No. 22 r-Jr. F Nicole Iademarco – 15.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.1 APG
No. 21 Jr. G Gabrielle Stanton – 6.0 PPG, 4.7 APG, 2.1 RPG
Summary: The Owls finished 22-13 last season, including an 13-5 mark in Conference USA action. Rice is currently 5-2, and hopes to still remember how to play basketball after going a full 10 days since their most recent contest, an 82-76 loss to No. 18 Texas A&M in College Station, Texas.
 
The Owls average 71.7 points, while surrendering 63.3 per contest. Rice shoots 46.4 percent from the floor and 40.1 percent from three-point range, while allowing 39.9 percent and 28.3 percent respectively. The Owls have a +1.3 rebounding margin and a -0.9 turnover margin this season.
 
Rice is led by redshirt-sophomore guard Erica Ogwumike, who averages 19.7 points, 8.7 boards, 3 steals and 2.4 assists. Redshirt-junior forward Nicole Iademarco is second on the team in scoring (15.6), while adding 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Junior guard Gabrielle Stanton averages 6 points, 4.7 assists and 2.1 boards.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 1-7, 0-0 SLC
Last Game: L 81-51 vs. South Dakota (Dec. 4, 2017)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
No. 11 So. G Imani Robinson – 9.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 1.0 APG
No. 15 Fr. F Sydnee Wynn – 6.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG
No. 12 Sr. G Melina Merritt – 4.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.3 SPG
Summary: The Cardinals finished 9-20 last season, including a 7-11 mark in Southland Conference play. UIW is currently 1-7 and coming off of an 81-51 defeat against South Dakota in San Antonio.
 
The Cardinals average 46.8 points, while surrendering 74.1 per contest. UIW shoots 31 percent from the floor and 21.9 percent from beyond the arc, while allowing 46 percent and 39.5 percent respectively. The Cardinals hold a -4.9 rebounding margin and a -5.7 turnover margin this season.
 
UIW is led by reigning Southland Conference Freshman of the Year Imani Robinson, who averages 9.5 points, 3.5 boards, 1.6 steals and 1 assist. Freshman forward Sydnee Wynn pulls down a team-high 6.4 rebounds, while adding 6.6 points per contest. Senior guard Melina Merritt averages 4 points, 3 boards, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
The Owls own a 2-0 advantage in the all-time series with the Cardinals. Rice picked up a 60-43 victory over UIW in the most recent meeting between programs on Dec. 3, last season in San Antonio.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals make a return trip to H-Town on Monday, Dec. 18, to face Houston at 11 a.m.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW heads north on Thursday, Dec. 21, for a 2 p.m. date with Texas Tech
 
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.