SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Just six days ago the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team suffered a heartbreaking two-point loss to New Orleans on the road, despite mounting a furious 16-point rally. On Saturday, the Cardinals seek redemption as they welcome the Privateers for an 11 a.m. rematch at the McDermott Center.
 
GIVING BACK
 
Saturday's matchup will serve as UIW's annual Cancer Awareness Game, where the Cardinals support Play 4 Kay, an organization that benefits the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Tickets will be sold at a discounted rate of $5.
 
OPENING TIP
 
UIW (3-16, 2-6 SLC) is coming off of back-to-back two-point losses, in which the team found itself trailing, surged in the second half and narrowly missed out on completing an epic comeback. In order to defeat New Orleans (10-10, 6-3 SLC) this time around, the Cardinals need to limit turnovers and take advantage of opportunities at the free throw line - two areas that have plagued an extraordinarily young UIW squad comprised of 11 underclassmen and only four upperclassmen.
 
SCOUTING THE PRIVATEERS
 
Record: 10-10, 6-3 SLC
Last Game: W 81-63 vs. Northwestern State (Jan. 24, 2018)
Head Coach: Keeshawn Davenport
Leaders:
No. 22 Sr. G Randi Brown – 22.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.6 APG, 2.5 SPG
No. 30 Jr. C Shania Woods – 10.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG
No. 23 r-Jr. G Mariah Wright – 5.2 PPG, 3.1 APG, 2.7 RPG, 2.0 SPG
Summary: The Privateers finished 14-15 last season, including a 9-9 mark against Southland Conference competition. New Orleans was eliminated in the first round of the 2016-17 SLC Tournament by Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 88-77.
 
The Privateers are currently 10-10 overall and 6-3 in league play. New Orleans is riding a four-game winning streak and coming off of an 81-63 victory over Northwestern State on Wednesday.
 
The Privateers average 65.2 points, while surrendering 66.5 per contest. New Orleans shoots 37.7 percent from the floor and 31 percent from three-point range, while allowing 40.9 percent and 29.5 percent respectively. The Privateers hold a -3.0 rebounding margin and a +2.2 turnover margin this season.
 
New Orleans is led by senior guard Randi Brown, who averages 22.5 points, 4.1 boards, 2.6 assists and 2.5 steals. Junior center Shania Woods pulls down a team-high 8.3 rebounds per game, to go along with 10.9 points. Redshirt-junior guard Mariah Wright averages 5.2 points, 3.1 assists, 2.7 boards and 2.0 steals.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 3-16, 2-6 SLC
Last Game: L 58-56 vs. Houston Baptist (Jan. 24, 2018)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
No. 11 So. G Imani Robinson – 11.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.1 SPG, 1.4 APG
No. 15 Fr. F Sydnee Wynn – 7.7 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.3 BPG
No. 04 r-Jr. G Gabbi Bowie – 6.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG
Summary: The Cardinals finished 9-20 last season, including a 7-11 mark against Southland Conference competition. UIW is currently 3-16 overall and 2-6 in league play, after suffering a 58-56 loss at Houston Baptist on Wednesday.
 
The Cardinals average 50.5 points, while surrendering 69.1 per contest. UIW shoots 32 percent from the floor and 25.6 percent from beyond the arc, while allowing 42.8 percent and 34.2 percent respectively. The Cardinals hold a -4.3 rebounding margin and a -3.9 turnover margin this season.
 
UIW is led by reigning Southland Conference Freshman of the Year Imani Robinson, who averages 11.8 points, 5.1 boards, 2.1 steals and 1.4 assists. Freshman forward Sydnee Wynn pulls down a team-high 7.2 rebounds per contest, while adding 7.7 points and 1.3 blocks. Redshirt-junior Utah transfer Gabbi Bowie averages 6.7 points and 2.8 boards.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
New Orleans holds a 4-2 advantage in the all-time series with UIW. The Privateers have won the previous four meetings, including a 52-50 victory over the Cardinals on Jan. 20 in New Orleans.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW welcomes Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to San Antonio for a 1 p.m. bout on Saturday, Feb. 3.
 
STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals travel to Hammond for a 7 p.m. date with Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
 
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.