Haywood's scoring burst leads Xavier past Concordia (Ala.)

Nick Haywood

NEW ORLEANS -- Nick Haywood scored 14 of his 19 points in the first half Saturday to lead NAIA No. 21 Xavier University of Louisiana in a 78-61 men's basketball victory against Concordia (Ala.) at The Barn.

The Gold Rush (5-2) produced five double-figure scorers to snap a two-game losing streak.

Haywood was scoreless the first eight minutes, then scored 14 points during a nine-minute stretch to give Xavier a 40-25 lead at 2:28 of the first first half. Haywood capped his burst by making three consecutive 3-pointers. It was Haywood's third consecutive game in double figures after averaging 5.2 points in the first four contests. He finished with four 3-pointers and has made 14 in the past three games.

Denzell Erves

Denzell Erves had 16 points -- his first double-figure game since the season opener -- eight rebounds and two blocked shots for the Gold Rush. Cordell Hadnot had a season-high 14 points, seven rebounds and a career-high-tying four steals. Renard Smith scored a season-high 13 points, and Wanto Joseph had 10 points and a career-high-tying eight assists. 

Travis Rasco scored 22 points for Concordia (3-8), and Wesley Conor scored 11. The Hornets have dropped a season-high three straight decisions and five of their past six.

Xavier never lost the lead after outscoring the Hornets 7-0 in the first 2½ minutes. The Gold Rush led 44-33 at halftime and by 26 points on three occasions in the second half.

Xavier, winning at home for the 24th time in 26 games, shot a season-best 49.1 percent from the floor, limited the Hornets to 40.4 percent and outrebounded them 36-26.

The next Gold Rush game will start at 7 p.m. Tuesday at home against Mobile.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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