SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team will head to Mardi Gras country on Wednesday as the squad faces Southeastern Louisiana at 7 p.m. at University Center, with the goal of snapping a seven-game skid.
 
OPENING TIP
 
The 2017-18 Cardinals have felt the growing pains of an extraordinarily young roster, made up of 11 underclassmen and just four upperclassmen. UIW has shown marked improvement over the course of the year, but has suffered a number of narrow losses in league action. Over the last four contests, three have been decided by fewer than five points. With only eight games remaining before the Southland Conference Tournament, the Cardinals will need to ramp things up down the stretch if they hope to rise in the standings and punch a ticket to Katy.
 
SCOUTING THE LIONS
 
Record: 5-17, 4-7 SLC
Last Game: W 78-70 vs. Central Arkansas (Feb. 3, 2018)
Head Coach: Ayla Guzzardo
Leaders:
No. 14 Sr. G Taylin Underwood – 18.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.2 SPG
No. 25 Fr. F Caitlyn Williams – 7.8 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.1 SPG
No. 24 So. G Tyler Morrison – 5.7 RPG, 3.8 PPG, 3.2 APG
Summary: The Lions finished 5-24 last season, including a 3-15 mark against Southland Conference competition. Southeastern Louisiana is currently 5-17 overall and 4-7 in league action, after earning a 78-70 victory over Central Arkansas on Saturday in Hammond, La.
 
The Lions average 61.5 points, while surrendering 72.6 per contest. Southeastern Louisiana shoots 34.6 percent from the floor and 32.8 percent from three-point range, while allowing 42.1 percent and 30.6 percent respectively. The Lions hold a -6.9 rebounding margin and a +0.3 turnover margin this season.
 
Southeastern Louisiana is led by senior guard Taylin Underwood, who averages 18.9 points, 5.3 boards, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals. Freshman forward Caitlyn Williams pulls down a team-high 7.0 rebounds per game, to go along with 7.8 points and 1.1 steals. Sophomore guard Tyler Morrison averages 5.7 boards, 3.8 points and 3.2 assists.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
Record: 3-18, 2-8 SLC
Last Game: L 62-58 vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Feb. 3, 2018)
Head Coach: Christy Smith
Leaders:
No. 11 So. G Imani Robinson – 12.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.6 APG
No. 15 Fr. F Sydnee Wynn – 7.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.3 BPG
No. 12 Sr. G Melina Merritt – 4.2 PPG, 2.5 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 3-18 overall and 2-8 in league play, riding a seven-game losing streak, after a 62-58 loss to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday in San Antonio.
 
The Cardinals average 50.6 points, while surrendering 68.9 per contest. UIW shoots 32.4 percent from the floor and 25.2 percent from beyond the arc, while allowing 43.0 percent and 33.7 percent respectively. The Cardinals hold a -4.1 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 12.0 points, 4.9 boards, 1.9 steals and 1.6 assists. Freshman forward Sydnee Wynn pulls down a team-high 7.1 rebounds per contest, while adding 7.7 points and 1.3 blocks. Senior guard Melina Merritt averages 4.2 points, 2.5 assists, 2.3 boards and 1.3 steals.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
UIW owns a 4-1 advantage in the all-time series against Southeastern Louisiana, including a sweep of last season's two-game series. The Cardinals picked up a 96-56 victory in the most recent meeting between programs on Jan. 19, 2017, in San Antonio.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW faces a road test against rival Abilene Christian on Saturday at 2 p.m.
 
STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals host a regional matchup with Lamar at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 14.
 
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.