Kelly's double-double leads Nuggets past Philander Smith

NEW ORLEANS -- Jazmoné Kelly had 11 points and 13 rebounds Monday to lead NAIA No. 16 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 56-27 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against Philander Smith.

The Gold Nuggets (15-5 overall, 5-0 GCAC) have won eight straight for the first time since the 2009-10 season. It was their third victory in four days.

Kelly, a senior guard/forward, recorded her first career double-double. She also had four assists and two assists in 19 minutes.

SiMon Franklin and Jasmine Grant scored 10 points apiece for Xavier, which led 36-14 at halftime. Kelly had seven points and eight rebounds in the first half.

Caryan Jones led Philander Smith (1-16, 0-5) with six points. The Lady Panthers, a first-year GCAC member, have lost 15 in a row.

Xavier committed 27 turnovers, seven more than the Lady Panthers, but outshot them 38.7 to 16 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 56-28. Philander Smith shot 24 free throws but made seven. Xavier blocked a season-best six shots for the second straight game.

It's the fifth consecutive game that the Gold Nuggets allowed less than 50 points and the third straight game they allowed less than 40. Xavier has 34 consecutive GCAC victories, 29 in the regular season.

Xavier, tied for first place in the GCAC with city rival Dillard, will play Talladega at 5 p.m. Saturday at The Barn. The Lady Tornadoes are unbeaten through three conference games.

BOX SCORE

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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