SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team returns to action to close out non-conference play starting with Texas Tech on Dec. 29 in Lubbock, Texas at the Unites Supermarkets Arena at 1 p.m. (CT).
 
The Cardinals open the new year in Edinburg, Texas to take on UTRGV on Jan. 2 in the UTRGV Fieldhouse at 3 p.m. (CT) before returning to the Alamo City to start conference play.
 
TIPOFF COVERAGE
Tuesday, Dec. 29, 1 p.m. (CT) at Texas Tech | United Supermarkets Arena | Lubbock, Texas
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: TTSN
Live Stats: SIDEARM Stats
 
Saturday, Jan. 2, 3 p.m. (CT) at UTRGV | UTRGV Fieldhouse | Edinburg, Texas
Watch:  WAC Digital Network
Live Stats: SIDEARM Stats
 
CARDINAL QUICK HITS

• UIW takes the court for the first time since Dec. 5 after defeating Sul Ross 75-51 at home, three Cardinals scored in double-figures and 12 total contributed to the score.
• UIW's 3-point defense in four games, holding opponents to just 16.7 percent, leads the Southland Conference and currently sits in second-best in the nation.
• Starr Omozee was an honorable mention for Southland Conference player of the week, appearing on 25 percent of the ballots. Her 16 points, seven rebounds performance in the win over UTSA was a highlight for the junior in this week's ballot. Her 11.8 ppg rank 12th in the SLC, while her 5.8 rebounds rank 16th.
• Jaaucklyn Moore has made her mark four games into her freshman campaign. She is averaging 11.0 ppg (2nd UIW, 17th SLC) and 1.0 steals (T-7th SLC) all while starting all four games for the Cardinals.
• The Cardinals' 2020-21 squad features 11 new members returning one starter, one red-shirt and three others. The Cardinals lost four of its starters and eight letterwinners with a roster that graduated seven seniors last season.
• UIW has a young squad with eight true freshmen. The average age of the team is 19.3 years. 14 of 16 players on the roster have less than two years of playing experience at the Division I level, UIW is one of seven teams in the nation with 14 or more players with limited experience.

 
SCOUTING THE LADY RAIDERS

• Texas Tech leads the head-to-head series in Lubbock, Texas 2-0 against UIW. The last matchup was back in 2017 when the Red Raiders defeated the Cardinals 80-54.
• Texas Tech is 5-2 this season, 1-1 in Big 12 play, with a 78-72 win over TCU and a 91-45 loss to No. 7 Baylor.
• The Lady Raiders are led by senior Vivian Gray who is averaging 17.6 ppg while also grabbing a team-high 7.3 boards per game. She has scored in double-figures in six-of-seven games this season including a season high 24 points twice against UTRGV and Houston Baptist.
• Senior Lexi Gordon is another top scorer for the Red Raiders averaging 17.0 ppg. She led TTU to victory against TCU with 24 points, six rebounds, and one assist.
• Texas Tech protects the rock well, averaging 12.1 turnovers per game which leads the Big 12 and rank 19th in the nation. They are also forcing 15.3 turnovers per game for a 3.2 turnover margin.
• Gray who ranks 16.th in the nation in free-throws made this season will pose a threat for the Cardinals at the charity line as she also ranks in the top 20 nationwide for free-throws attempted.

 
SCOUTING THE VAQUEROS

• The series against UTRGV, previously UT-Pan American, dates back to the 1983-84 campaign. Since then, the Cardinals have won one of 13 matchups against the Vaqueros. UTRGV came out on top in the most recent contest against UIW, 60-47, on Dec. 17, 2015.
• UTRGV is 2-0 this season against Southland opponents notching two wins against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
• The Vaqueros, like the Cardinals both defeated UTSA earlier this season, topping the Roadrunners, 60-50, back in November. Similarly, both teams are shooting at a rate of 40.5 percent from the field this season.
• Amara Graham leads UTRGV this season with 16.8 ppg (rank third in the WAC), while also grabbing 4.8 reb per contest. Her 51.6 percent accuracy from the field and 85.3 percent from the charity line both rank second-best in the WAC.

 
STAY TUNED
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook.

Follow the team on Twitter @UIWWBB and on Instagram @uiw_womenshoops.