SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team will travel down I10 to The Big Easy for a 7 p.m. date with New Orleans on Thursday at Lakefront Arena.
 
OPENING TIP
 
Coming off of their first victory in program history over HBU, the Cardinals (6-16, 4-7 SLC) will look to avenge a Jan. 7 loss to the Privateers (11-10, 6-5 SLC) in San Antonio.
 
SCOUTING THE PRIVATEERS
 
Record: 11-10, 6-5 SLC
Last Game: W 81-77 vs. Nicholls (Feb. 4)
Head Coach: Keeshawn Davenport
Leaders:
#22 Jr. G Randi Brown – 20.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.7 SPG
#30 So. C Shania Woods – 9.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.0 APG
#00 Jr. F Halie Matthews – 6.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.1 BPG
Summary: The Privateers enter Thursday's matchup with an 11-10 overall record and a 6-5 mark in Southland Conference play. New Orleans is coming off of an 81-77 victory over Nicholls on Feb. 4 in New Orleans.
 
The Privateers average 68.5 points, while surrendering 64.8 per contest. New Orleans shoots 41.8 percent from the floor and 35.8 percent from three-point range, while allowing 39.6 percent and 31.3 percent respectively. The Privateers have a +1.1 rebounding margin and a +1.4 turnover margin this season.
 
New Orleans is led by junior guard Randi Brown, who averages 20.3 points, 3.9 boards, 2.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Sophomore center Shania Woods pulls down a team-high 7.1 rebounds, to go along with 9.0 points and 1.0 assists per contest. Junior forward Halie Matthews averages 6.5 points, 3.8 boards and 1.1 blocks per game.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 6-16, 4-7 SLC
Last Game: W 69-54 vs. HBU (Feb. 2)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
#23 Sr. F Celia Garcia Paunero – 17.5 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 1.9 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 – 11.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.3 SPG
Summary: The Cardinals have already surpassed their 2015-16 Southland Conference win total with seven league games remaining this season. UIW is coming off of a 69-54 victory over HBU on Thursday in San Antonio. The victory was the first over the Huskies in program history and snapped an eight-game winning streak for HBU.
 
The Cardinals average 64.7 points, while surrendering 71.0 per contest. UIW shoots 38.5 percent from the floor and 34.2 percent from the three-point range, while allowing 43.8 percent and 36.4 percent respectively. The Cardinals have a -2.6 rebounding margin and a -0.7 turnover margin this season.
 
UIW is led by senior forward Celia Garcia Paunero, who averages 17.5 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 12.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals. Freshman guard Imani Robinson averages 11.4 points, 5.7 boards, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals per contest.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
The Cardinals and Privateers are locked in a 2-2 tie in the all-time series between programs. New Orleans won the previous two meetings, including a 71-67 victory on Jan. 7 in San Antonio. Randi Brown and Shania Woods combined for 51 points and 15 rebounds in the matchup, while Celia Garcia Paunero paced the UIW with 23 points and 10 boards.
 
UP NEXT
 
Following Thursday's action, the Cardinals will face McNeese at 12:45 p.m. on Feb. 11 in Lake Charles, La.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW welcomes Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to the McDermott Convocation Center at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15.
 
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.