LAKE CHARLES, La. – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team will look to put a tough loss to New Orleans behind them and press forward against McNeese on Saturday at Burton Coliseum.
 
OPENING TIP
 
The Cardinals (6-17, 4-8 SLC) hope to have the services of their floor general, Cheyenne Berry, who missed Thursday's game due to injury. The Cowgirls (10-12, 5-6 SLC) will seek to avenge last year's loss to the UIW in their lone meeting on Jan. 20 in Lake Charles, La.
 
SCOUTING THE COWGIRLS
 
Record: 10-12, 5-6 SLC
Last Game: L 79-57 at Lamar (Feb. 4)
Head Coach: Kacie Cryer
Leaders:
#33 Sr. G Victoria Rachal – 10.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.0 APG
#25 Jr. F Frederica Haywood – 9.6 RPG, 8.1 PPG, 1.0 SPG
#23 Sr. G Amber Donnes – 9.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 2.0 SPG
Summary: The Cowgirls enter Saturday's matchup with a 10-12 overall record and a 5-6 mark in Southland Conference play. McNeese is coming off of a 79-57 defeat at Lamar on Feb. 4.
 
The Cowgirls average 69.9 points, while surrendering 68.6 per contest. McNeese shoots 37.9 percent from the floor and 29.6 percent from three-point range, while allowing 41.0 percent and 29.8 percent respectively. The Cowgirls have a +3.7 rebounding margin and a +1.9 turnover margin this season.
 
McNeese is led by senior guard Victoria Rachal, who averages 10.0 points, 3.3 boards and 2.0 assists per game. Junior forward Frederica Haywood pulls down a team-high 9.6 rebounds, to go along with 8.1 points and 1.0 steals per contest. Amber Donnes averages 9.5 points, 4.8 boards, 2.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 6-17, 4-8 SLC
Last Game: L 84-58 at New Orleans (Feb. 9)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
#23 Sr. F Celia Garcia Paunero – 17.4 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.2 SPG
#00 Sr. G Cheyenne Berry – 12.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.0 SPG
#11 Fr. G Imani Robinson – 11.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.2 SPG
Summary: The Cardinals have already surpassed their 2015-16 Southland Conference win total with six league games remaining this season. UIW is coming off of an 84-58 loss at New Orleans on Thursday.
 
The Cardinals average 64.4 points, while surrendering 71.6 per contest. UIW shoots 38.5 percent from the floor and 34.1 percent from the three-point range, while allowing 44.0 percent and 36.8 percent respectively. The Cardinals have a -2.4 rebounding margin and a -1.3 turnover margin this season.
 
UIW is led by senior forward Celia Garcia Paunero, who averages 17.4 points, 10.7 boards, 2.0 assists and 1.2 steals per contest. Senior guard Cheyenne Berry dishes out a team-leading 3.7 assists per game, while contributing 12.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals. Freshman guard Imani Robinson averages 11.8 points, 5.9 boards, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals per contest.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
McNeese owns a 2-1 advantage in the all-time series with UIW, but the Cardinals won last year's lone meeting, 68-55, on Jan. 20 in Lake Charles.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW welcomes Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to the McDermott Convocation Center at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15.
 
STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals host Sam Houston at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18.
 
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.