SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team will fight for its fourth-consecutive win as the squad hits the road for a battle with archrival Abilene Christian at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Moody Coliseum.
OPENING TIP
A victory over the Wildcats (20-8, 14-2 SLC) would give the Cardinals (9-18, 7-9 SLC) eight Southland Conference wins, surpassing the number of league victories the program tallied over its first three years of transition to NCAA Division I combined.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Record: 20-8, 14-2 SLC
Last Game: W 72-39 at Sam Houston (Feb. 25)
Head Coach: Julie Goodenough
Leaders:
#15 Sr. G Alexis Mason – 16.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.3 SPG
#33 Sr. F Sydney Shelstead – 11.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.2 APG
#10 Fr. G Breanna Wright – 5.6 PPG, 3.8 APG, 3.3 RPG, 1.0 SPG
Summary: The Wildcats enter Wednesday's matchup with a 20-8 overall record and a 14-2 mark in Southland Conference play. Abilene Christian is riding a five-game winning streak and coming off of a 72-39 dismantling of Sam Houston on Saturday in Huntsville.
The Wildcats average 72.3 points, while surrendering 64.2 per contest. Abilene Christian shoots 42.2 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from three-point range, while allowing 40.8 percent and 30.5 percent respectively. The Wildcats have a +8.1 rebounding margin and a -1.2 turnover margin this season.
Abilene Christian is led by senior guard Alexis Mason, who averages 16.3 points, 3.0 boards, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Senior forward Sydney Shelstead averages a team-leading 8.9 rebounds, to go along with 11.5 points and 1.2 assists per contest. Freshman guard Breanna Wright paces the squad with 3.8 assists per game, while contributing 5.6 points, 3.3 boards and 1.0 steals.
THE CARDINAL FILE
Record: 9-18, 7-9 SLC
Last Game: W 69-63 vs. Nicholls (Feb. 22)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
#23 Sr. F
Celia Garcia Paunero – 17.7 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.2 SPG
#00 Sr. G
Cheyenne Berry – 11.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.0 SPG
#11 Fr. G
Imani Robinson – 12.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.2 SPG
Summary: The Cardinals have already surpassed their 2015-16 overall win total and more than doubled their Southland Conference win total with two contests remaining this season. UIW is riding a three-game winning streak and coming off of a 69-63 victory over Nicholls on Senior Day in San Antonio.
The Cardinals average 65.1 points, while surrendering 70.3 per contest. UIW shoots 38.7 percent from the floor and 35.1 percent from the three-point range, while allowing 42.8 percent and 34.7 percent respectively. The Cardinals have a -1.8 rebounding margin and a -1.5 turnover margin this season.
UIW is led by senior forward
Celia Garcia Paunero, who averages 17.7 points, 11.6 boards, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals per contest. The Valladolid, Spain native is coming off of back-to-back 20-20 performances and picked up her second SLC Player of the Week nod on Feb. 20. Senior guard
Cheyenne Berry dishes out a team-leading 3.8 assists per game, while contributing 11.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals. Freshman of the Year shoo-in
Imani Robinson averages 12.3 points, 6.0 boards, 1.3 assists and 1.2 steals per contest. She leads all freshmen in scoring, rebounding and shooting percentage.
SERIES HISTORY
Abilene Christian holds a 19-8 advantage in the all-time series against UIW. The Wildcats have won the previous seven meetings, including a 75-66 victory earlier this season on Jan. 26 in San Antonio. The last time the Cardinals defeated Abilene Christian came on Feb. 27, 2013 at The Convo.
UP NEXT
UIW will close out the season with a coastal showdown against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.
STAY TUNED
Next season the Cardinals will be eligible for postseason play and Head Coach
Christy Smith is determined to have the program ready to compete for a Southland Conference Championship.
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.
