The Teams: Tarleton Texans (7-3, 0-0 WAC) at Incarnate Word Cardinals (4-4, 0-0 SLC)
Where: San Antonio, Texas
Arena: McDermott Convocation Center
Day and Time: Wednesday, 2 p.m. CT
Streaming Platform: Incarnate Word Streaming
Radio: Tarleton Sports Network (Kyle Crews)
 
ABOUT THE MATCHUP

• The Texans have won eight straight games against the Cardinals, dating back to the 2010-11 season. These two teams last played on March 7, 2013.
• Tarleton owns a 19-8 advantage in the all-time series that dates back to 1980.
• Tarleton has won three straight road games at Incarnate Word, last losing on Nov. 15, 2008.
• Incarnate Word is 4-4, winners of two straight. The Cardinals have played a WAC team, UTRGV, losing 62-57. They've played a common opponent of Tarleton's, Western Illinois, a 63-59 W.

 
QUICK HITS

• The Texans have begun their season 7-3, the third time they've started 7-3 or better under head coach Misty Wilson (2018-19, 2014-15). With a win Wednesday, they'll have an 8-3 mark or better for the 17th time in team history, and the third time under Wilson (2018-19, 2014-15).
• Tarleton has the tied-third best record in the WAC, just one game back of the top spot.
• Seynabou Thiam is the reigning Western Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week. Across Tarleton's 2-0 week, she averaged 12.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 5.0 blocks and 1.5 steals. She achieved a double-double with a career-high 18 points (8-13 FG), 15 rebounds, five blocks and three steals in a 51-47 win at Northwestern State on Saturday.
• In Tarleton's last game, they didn't allow a 3PM, as Northwestern State went 0-of-13. That's the first time TSU hasn't allowed a 3PM since Texas Wesleyan went 0-for-3 on Nov. 21, 2015.
• Tarleton has the best defense in the WAC. The Texans are...1st in PPG allowed (54.6); 1st in FG% allowed (.331); 1st in blocks per game (5.4); 2nd in 3PT% allowed (.250); 5th in steals per (9.5).
• The Texans have been pounding the glass, averaging the most rebounds in the WAC at 43.0 RPG. They own a 430-347 (+8.3 RPG) advantage on the boards. They're 7-1 when outrebounding opponents this year, 0-2 when outrebounded.
• With a win Wednesday, Tarleton would finish their non-conference slate 8-3.

 
WHO'S HOT

• Seynabou Thiam – The reigning WAC Player of the Week is leading the conference leaderboards in blocks per game (2.8) and total blocks (28). Only 12 players across NCAA Division I are averaging more blocks, and 16 have more total blocks. She's tied-seventh in rebounds per game (7.3).
• Jenna Dick – Over her last four games, Dick has made 10-of-18 (.556) from three-point range, shooting 48.6 from long range this season. She has the third best three-point percentage in the WAC. She'd have the 17th best in NCAA Division I, if not for reclassification.
• Nya Mitchels – Over her last four games, Mitchels has averaged 6.3 points on 12-of-18 (.667) shooting. She's boosted her season shooting percentage to .632. Mitchels is barely missing from qualification on the WAC leaderboard, which Lamar's Akasha Davis leads in FG% at .608.

 
NUMBERS TO KNOW
8: The Texans have only allowed eight THREE-POINT FIELD GOAL MAKES over their last three games, including zero at Northwestern State. Tarleton has allowed the fourth fewest three-point makes in the WAC at 47.
 
5.4: Tarleton is averaging 5.4 BLOCKS PER GAME as a team, largely thanks to Seynabou Thiam's 2.8 BPG average. They lead the WAC in blocks per game, and would have the tied-14th best BPG mark, if not for reclassification.
 
12: Through 10 games, the Texans have outscored opponents 662-546, outscoring teams by an average of 11.6 points per game. If the season ended today, it'd be their best average MARGIN OF VICTORY since 2013-14 (12.2).
 
7: The Texans have secured 40+ REBOUNDS seven times in 10 games this season. Last season across 25 games, the Texans had eight such games with 40+ rebounds.
 
UP NEXT FOR TARLETON
It's a week off before Tarleton begins conference play against Dixie State on Thursday, Dec. 30, at 6 p.m. CT. It will be the first home conference set for Tarleton at Wisdom Gym, as they close the calendar year.