SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team will play its eagerly-anticipated rematch with Stephen F. Austin at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the McDermott Center.
 
HOME OF THE BRAVE
 
Saturday's matchup will serve as the UIW's annual Military Appreciation Game. Active military with their ID will receive two complimentary tickets to the game, while families of active military may purchase tickets at a reduced rate of $5 per ticket, with a military ID.
 
Military members and their families can secure complimentary tickets and purchase reduced-rate tickets in advance of Saturday's game by visiting https://uiwathletics.formstack.com/forms/militaryappreciation.
 
OPENING TIP
 
Back on Jan. 13, the Cardinals didn't take kindly to being referred to the "slumping Cardinals" on SFA's official athletic website. With bulletin board material in the back of their minds, UIW took the Ladyjacks to the wire on their home court in Nacogdoches, and trailed by just three points with 12 seconds remaining in the game. The Cardinals were forced to intentionally foul down the stretch, providing SFA multiple of free throw opportunities to pad their advantage. After extending their lead to nine, the Ladyjacks decided to rub things in with a steal and a layup as time expired, setting the stage for a contentious rematch on Saturday in San Antonio.
 
SCOUTING THE LADYJACKS
 
Record: 20-4, 12-1 SLC
Last Game: W 59-58 vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Feb. 14, 2018)
Head Coach: Mark Kellogg
Leaders:
No. 21 r-Sr. F Stevi Parker – 12.4 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.4 SPG
No. 03 Jr. G Chanell Hayes – 12.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.7 SPG
No. 22 Sr. G Taylor Jackson – 11.0 PPG, 2.7 APG, 2.3 RPG, 1.8 SPG
Summary: The Ladyjacks finished 25-8 last season, including a 14-4 mark against Southland Conference competition. Stephen F. Austin reached the championship game of the SLC Tournament, falling to Central Arkansas, 60-35, in Katy. The Ladyjacks' season came to a close in the first round of the WBI Tournament with a 62-54 defeat at the hands of the UTRGV.
 
Stephen F. Austin is currently 20-4 overall and 12-1 in league play. The Ladyjacks enter Saturday's matchup riding a three-game winning streak. Stephen F. Austin is coming off of a 59-58 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Wednesday in Nacogdoches.
 
The Ladyjacks average 74.1 points, while holding opponents to just 57.0 per contest. Stephen F. Austin shoots 42.5 percent from the floor and 31.3 percent from three-point range, while allowing 37.8 percent and 28.3 percent respectively. The Ladyjacks hold a +1.8 rebounding margin and a +5.5 turnover margin this season.
 
Stephen F. Austin is led by redshirt-senior forward Stevi Parker, who averages 12.4 points, 9.9 boards, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals. Junior guard Chanell Hayes is second on the team in scoring, with 12.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Senior guard Taylor Jackson averages 11.0 points, 2.7 assists, 2.3 boards and 1.8 steals.
 
THE UIW CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 3-21, 2-11 SLC
Last Game: L 71-47 vs. Lamar (Feb. 14, 2018)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
No. 11 So. G Imani Robinson – 12.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 1.4 APG
No. 24 r-Jr. C Quincy Baker – 5.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.3 BPG
No. 12 Sr. G Melina Merritt – 4.2 PPG, 2.6 APG, 2.3 RPG, 1.3 SPG
Summary: The Cardinals finished 9-20 last season, including a 7-11 mark against Southland Conference competition. UIW is currently 3-21 overall and 2-11 in league play, riding a 10-game losing streak, after a 71-47 loss to Lamar on Wednesday in San Antonio.
 
The Cardinals average 50.8 points, while surrendering 68.3 per contest. UIW shoots 32.5 percent from the floor and 25.1 percent from beyond the arc, while allowing 42.8 percent and 32.9 percent respectively. The Cardinals hold a -4.4 rebounding margin and a -3.5 turnover margin this season.
 
UIW is led by Imani Robinson, who averages 12.2 points, 4.8 boards, 1.8 steals and 1.4 assists. Redshirt-junior center Quincy Baker pulls down 4.8 rebounds per game, to go along with 5.3 points and 1.3 blocks. Senior guard Melina Merritt averages 4.2 points, 2.6 assists, 2.3 boards and 1.3 steals.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
Stephen F. Austin maintains an 7-0 advantage in the all-time series with UIW. The Ladyjacks picked up a 60-49 victory in the most recent meeting between programs on Jan. 13 in Nacogdoches.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals travel to Natchitoches, La. for a meeting with Northwestern State at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
 
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW heads south for a meeting with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24.
 
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.