Xavier men shut down Dillard, 64-37

WANTO JOSEPH #3
5' - 9" GUARD, JUNIOR
HOMETOWN: NEW ORLEANS
PERRY O. WALKER HIGH SCHOOL

NEW ORLEANS -- Wanto Joseph scored 11 points Saturday to lead Xavier University of Louisiana in a stifling 64-37 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Dillard in the Crosstown Classic.

A capacity crowd of 1,300 at The Barn saw the Gold Rush (15-6 overall, 6-2 GCAC) allow its fewest points to the Bleu Devils (1-19, 1-6) since the first meeting of series in the 1947-48 season -- a 66-35 XU victory. Xavier leads the series 75-47.

Xavier also scored the largest winning margin in the series since its 102-72 decision in 1971-72.

Joseph, a junior guard, did not start but was 5-of-9 from the floor in 19 minutes. Another reserve junior guard, Nick Haywood, scored 10 points and ended his shooting slump by making 3-of-4 3-pointers. Haywood was 0-of-9 from long range the previous seven games.

Lorenzo Mitchell scored 10 points for Dillard.

Denzell Erves, Kevin Miller and Cordell Hadnot scored all the points for Xavier in a 12-0 run in the first eight minutes. Dillard did not score until Terry Church made the second of two free throws at 11:57. The Gold Rush led 32-15 at halftime and by at least 20 points for the final 11:52.

Xavier shot a season-best 58.1 percent from the floor -- 7-of-10 on 3-pointers -- and limited Dillard to 25 percent. The Gold Rush, led by Anthony Simmons' nine rebounds, had a 33-28 advantage on the boards. Xavier blocked a season-best seven shots, with Erves and Miller swatting two apiece.

Xavier has beaten Dillard five straight times and in 12 of the past 13 meetings. They'll meet again Feb. 25 at Dillard.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA