SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team will show no love for Lamar on Wednesday as the squad hosts a battle of the birds at 6 p.m. on Valentine's Day at the McDermott Center.
 
OPENING TIP
 
The Cardinals have felt the growing pains of an extraordinarily young roster, made up of 11 underclassmen and just four upperclassmen. With only six games remaining before the Southland Conference Tournament, the UIW youngsters will need to grow up fast in order to clinch a postseason spot.
 
SCOUTING THE LAMAR CARDINALS
 
Record: 17-6, 12-1 SLC
Last Game: W 68-44 at Sam Houston (Feb. 10, 2018)
Head Coach: Robin Harmony
Leaders:
No. 23 Jr. G Moe Kinard – 16.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 1.5 APG
No. 33 Gr. C Kiandra Bowers – 10.1 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.2 SPG, 1.0 APG
No. 10 Jr. G Chastadie Barrs – 12.6 PPG, 6.6 APG, 6.5 SPG, 5.7 RPG
Summary: The Cardinals finished 22-8 last season, including a 15-3 mark against Southland Conference competition. Lamar was eliminated by Stephen F. Austin in the SLC Tournament, 62-48. The Cardinals' season came to a close in the first round of the WBI Tournament with a 73-72 defeat at the hands of the Rice.
 
Lamar is currently 17-6 overall and 12-1 in league play. The Cardinals enter Wednesday's matchup on a nine-game winning streak. Lamar is coming off of a 68-44 defeat of Sam Houston on Saturday in Huntsville, Texas.
 
The Cardinals average 78.5 points, while holding opponents to 61.6 per contest. Lamar shoots 40.3 percent from the floor and 28.4 percent from three-point range, while allowing 40.6 percent and 33.2 percent respectively. The Cardinals hold a +2.0 rebounding margin and a +13.4 turnover margin this season.
 
Lamar leads the nation in steals, steals per game, turnover margin and turnovers forced. The Cardinals also rank first in the conference in scoring offense, assist-to-turnover ratio, fewest turnovers and offensive rebounds per game.
 
Lamar is led by junior guard Moe Kinard, who averages 16.3 points, 4.9 boards, 2.0 steals and 1.4 assists. Graduate student center Kiandra Bowers pulls down a team-high 9.8 rebounds, to go along with 10.1 points, 2.2 steals and 1.0 assists per game. Junior guard Chastadie Barrs averages 12.6 points, 6.6 assists, 6.5 steals and 5.7 boards. She leads the nation in steals and steals per game.
 
THE UIW CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 3-20, 2-10 SLC
Last Game: L 58-56 at Abilene Christian (Feb. 10, 2018)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
No. 11 So. G Imani Robinson – 12.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 1.5 APG
No. 24 r-Jr. C Quincy Baker – 5.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.3 BPG
No. 12 Sr. G Melina Merritt – 4.2 PPG, 2.6 APG, 2.3 RPG, 1.4 SPG
Summary: The Cardinals finished 9-20 last season, including a 7-11 mark against Southland Conference competition. UIW is currently 3-20 overall and 2-10 in league play, riding a nine-game losing streak, after a 58-56 loss to Abilene Christian on Saturday in Abilene, Texas.
 
The Cardinals average 51.0 points, while surrendering 68.2 per contest. UIW shoots 32.7 percent from the floor and 25.1 percent from beyond the arc, while allowing 42.5 percent and 33.2 percent respectively. The Cardinals hold a -4.3 rebounding margin and a -3.4 turnover margin this season.
 
UIW is led by Imani Robinson, who averages 12.2 points, 4.8 boards, 1.8 steals and 1.5 assists. Redshirt-junior center Quincy Baker pulls down 4.6 rebounds per game, to go along with 5.4 points and 1.3 blocks. Senior guard Melina Merritt averages 4.2 points, 2.6 assists, 2.3 boards and 1.4 steals.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
Lamar holds a 7-0 advantage in the all-time series with UIW. LU picked up an 77-54 victory in the most recent meeting between programs on Jan. 18, earlier this season in Beaumont, Texas.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals welcome Stephen F. Austin for Military Appreciation Day matchup at the McDermott Center on Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW travels to Natchitoches, La. for a meeting with Northwestern State at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21.
 
To purchase tickets to any UIW Athletics home event, contact Ticket Sales Coordinator Alma Lara at 210-805-3012.
 
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.