SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team opens the 2024-25 season with two Big 12 opponents on the road. The Cardinals kick off the season with a 6 p.m. tip on Monday, Nov. 4 at Texas Tech University then travel to Baylor University for a 7 p.m. game on Thursday, Nov. 7.
UIW
- The Cardinals are coming off an historic 2023-24 season in which they broke the Division I record for the most wins in a season (19) and conference wins (12). UIW's defense locked down its opponents, also setting the school record for fewest points allowed per game (56.4).
- UIW ended its season, placing two athletes on the Southland All-Conference Team and 14 of the 15 girls on the Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll, with three student-athletes earning SLC Academic All-Conference recognition.
- This season, the Cardinals will see two returning starters in Jorja Elliott and Myra Bell.
- Junior Jorja Elliott started 30 games for the Cardinals and contributed almost eight points game last season with a season-high 25 points against SLC foe, Texas A&M – Commerce. She finished her sophomore campaign scoring double digits in nine games.
- Graduate student and fifth year Cardinal, Myra Bell averaged 5.5 points per game and 3.7 rebounds with a season-high 15 points. She and fifth-year Brenna Perez returned as leaders for this Cardinal squad.
- Head Coach Dow and the women's basketball staff added five transfers and three freshmen to this year's squad.
SCOUTING THE RED RAIDERS
- Last season, the Lady Raiders finished 17-16 overall and 5-13 in conference play. The season ended at the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship where Texas Tech defeated Houston 74-60 before falling to No. 17 Baylor 60-71.
- Texas Tech returns six of its top scorers and the 2024-25 Lady Raiders team is made up of 10 upperclassmen.
- Two of these returners include All-Big 12 Honorable Mention players Jasmine Shavers and Bailey Maupin. Shavers ranked No. 9 in the Big 12 for scoring with 15.4 points per game, while Maupin led the team with 102 assists to go along with 42 steals and 14.1 points per contest.
- The Big 12 predicted the Lady Raiders to finish No. 10 in the 2024-25 Big 12 Women's Basketball Preseason Poll.
- UIW fell 76-35 to Texas Tech on Dec. 13 2023 in Lubbock. The Lady Raiders hold a 5-0 all-time series lead over the Cardinals.
SCOUTING THE BEARS
- The Bears are ranked in the AP preseason poll at No. 12 and were picked to finish third in the 2024-25 Big 12 Women's Basketball Preseason Poll.
- Last season, Baylor lost just eight games, finishing 26-8 overall and 12-6 in Big 12 play.
- Aaronette Vonleh was named the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year, coming to Baylor from Colorado. She played and started in all 34 games with the Buffaloes, accumulating three double-doubles on the season with six 20-point games.
- Baylor kicks off its season against UIW, following an exhibition victory over Langston on Sunday, Nov. 3 where the Bears won 100-39.
- UIW has only faced Baylor once in Division I history. The Cardinals suffered a 71-42 loss to the Bears on Nov. 10, 2022 in Waco.
FOLLOW ALONG
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 teams on Twitter @UIWMBB / @UIWWBB and on Instagram @UIWMensBasketball / @uiw_womenshoops
