SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team will look to continue its season of firsts as the squad welcomes Sam Houston to The Convo for a 1 p.m. matchup on Saturday.
 
OPENING TIP
 
February has been kind to the Cardinals (7-18, 5-9 SLC). UIW picked up its first ever victory over Houston Baptist on Feb. 2 and earned the first win in school history over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Feb. 16. The Cardinals hope the trend continues as the program seeks its first victory over the Bearkats (2-21, 2-11 SLC) on Feb. 18.
 
SCOUTING THE BEARKATS
 
Record: 2-21, 2-11 SLC
Last Game: L 78-45 at Central Arkansas (Feb. 15)
Head Coach: Brenda Nichols
Leaders:
#01 Fr. G Jenniffer Oramas – 8.4 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.0 SPG
#10 Jr. G Angela Delaney – 7.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.9 APG
#05 Sr. G Morghen Day – 3.2 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.1 APG
Summary: The Bearkats enter Saturday's matchup with a 2-21 overall record and a 2-11 mark in Southland Conference play. Sam Houston is coming off of a 78-45 loss at Central Arkansas on Wednesday. The Bearkats have struggled mightily this season, starting the year on a 17-game losing streak. Despite the rough start, Sam Houston has won two of its last six games, and will look to play spoiler over the remainder of the 2016-17 season.
 
The Bearkats average 51.7 points, while surrendering 73.0 per contest. Sam Houston shoots 32.6 percent from the floor and 29.8 percent from three-point range, while allowing 41.9 percent and 32.5 percent respectively. The Bearkats have a -2.4 rebounding margin and a -9.0 turnover margin this season.
 
Sam Houston is led by freshman guard Jennifer Oramas, who averages 8.4 points, 2.2 boards, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals per game. Junior guard Angela Delaney pulls down a team-high 3.3 rebounds, to go along with 7.3 points and 1.9 assists per contest. Senior guard Morghen Day averages 3.2 points, 3.1 boards and a team-high 2.1 assists per game.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 8-18, 5-9 SLC
Last Game: W 63-56 vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Feb. 15)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
#23 Sr. F Celia Garcia Paunero – 17.6 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.2 SPG
#00 Sr. G Cheyenne Berry – 11.4 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.0 SPG
#11 Fr. G Imani Robinson – 11.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.2 SPG
Summary: The Cardinals have already surpassed their 2015-16 win total with four games remaining in the season. UIW's five Southland Conference victories equal the amount of league wins that the Cardinals had over the previous two seasons combined. UIW is coming off of a 63-56 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Feb. 15 in San Antonio.
 
The Cardinals average 64.2 points, while surrendering 71.2 per contest. UIW shoots 38.5 percent from the floor and 34.6 percent from the three-point range, while allowing 43.6 percent and 35.3 percent respectively. The Cardinals have a -3.0 rebounding margin and a -1.2 turnover margin this season.
 
UIW is led by senior forward Celia Garcia Paunero, who averages 17.6 points, 10.9 boards, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals per contest. Senior guard Cheyenne Berry dishes out a team-leading 3.7 assists per game, while contributing 11.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals. Freshman guard Imani Robinson averages 11.5 points, 6.1 boards, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals per contest.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
Sam Houston holds a 3-0 advantage in the all-time series with UIW. The teams met just once last season as the Bearkats escaped with a 65-60 victory on Jan. 2 in San Antonio.
 
UP NEXT
 
Following Saturday's action, the Cardinals will host a Senior Day battle with Nicholls at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW heads north for a rivalry matchup against Abilene Christian at 5:30 p.m. on March 1.
 
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.