SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team will welcome rival Houston Baptist University on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. battle at the McDermott Center.
 
OPENING TIP
 
The Cardinals (3-15, 2-5 SLC) are coming off of a heartbreaking 52-50 loss to New Orleans on Saturday. UIW mounted a 16-point rally, before a last-second Privateer jumper spoiled the Cardinals' comeback. Rather than focus on the outcome of the game, UIW will look to build off of its second-half success and carry momentum into Wednesday's matchup with the Huskies (5-12, 1-6 SLC).
 
SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
 
Record: 5-12, 1-6 SLC
Last Game: L 86-74 vs. McNeese (Jan. 20, 2018)
Head Coach: Donna Finnie
Leaders:
No. 14 Jr. G Amanda Johnson – 16.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.8 APG
No. 45 Jr. C Veronika Kirienko – 6.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG
No. 11 So. G Britta Daub – 4.6 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.0 SPG
Summary: HBU finished 6-22 last season, including a 4-14 mark against Southland Conference competition. The Huskies are currently 5-12 overall and 1-6 in league play. HBU is coming off of an 86-74 loss to McNeese on Saturday at home.
 
The Huskies average 64.3 points, while surrendering 70 per contest. HBU shoots 40.3 percent from the floor and 29.4 percent from three-point range, while allowing 38.6 percent and 32.4 percent respectively. The Huskies hold a -1.1 rebounding margin and a -3.4 turnover margin this season.
 
HBU is led by junior guard Amanda Johnson, who averages 16.3 points, 4.9 boards and 1.8 assists. Junior center Veronika Kirienko pulls down a team-high 5.6 rebounds per game, to go along with 6.8 points. Sophomore guard Britta Daub averages 4.6 points, 3.9 boards, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 3-15, 2-5 SLC
Last Game: L 52-50 at New Orleans (Jan. 20, 2018)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
No. 11 So. G Imani Robinson – 11.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.4 APG
No. 15 Fr. F Sydnee Wynn – 7.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.2 BPG
No. 04 r-Jr. G Gabbi Bowie – 6.8 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 1.0 APG
Summary: The Cardinals finished 9-20 last season, including a 7-11 mark against Southland Conference competition. UIW is currently 3-15 overall and 2-5 in league play, after suffering a 52-50 loss at New Orleans on Saturday.
 
The Cardinals average 50.2 points, while surrendering 69.7 per contest. UIW shoots 32.2 percent from the floor and 25.5 percent from beyond the arc, while allowing 42.9 percent and 33.8 percent respectively. The Cardinals hold a -4.5 rebounding margin and a -4.4 turnover margin this season.
 
UIW is led by reigning Southland Conference Freshman of the Year Imani Robinson, who averages 11.3 points, 4.7 boards, 1.9 steals and 1.4 assists. Freshman forward Sydnee Wynn pulls down a team-high 7.1 rebounds per contest, while adding 7.6 points and 1.2 blocks. Redshirt-junior Utah transfer Gabbi Bowie averages 6.8 points, 2.7 boards and 1.0 assists.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
HBU owns an 8-1 advantage in the all-time series with UIW, but the Cardinals won the most recent meeting between programs, 69-54, on Feb. 2 in San Antonio.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW hosts New Orleans at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27. The matchup will serve as the Cardinals' annual Cancer Awareness Game, where the team supports Play 4 Kay, an organization that benefits the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Tickets will be sold at a discounted rate of $5.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW welcomes Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to San Antonio for a 1 p.m. bout on Saturday, Feb. 3.
 
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.