Gold Nuggets win by 54 in Convocation Center debut

NEW ORLEANS -- Andraquay Quinnine scored 12 points Saturday, all on 3-pointers, to lead NAIA No. 11 Xavier University of Louisiana to an 88-34 victory against Johnson & Wales (Fla.) in the first women's basketball game at XU's Convocation Center.

The game followed the XU men's 80-66 victory against Morehouse. A blessing and ribbon-cutting of the 3,937-seat facility preceded the doubleheader. The Convocation Center replaces The Barn, a gymnasium which opened in 1937 and seats 1,300. Attendance for the women's game was approximately 1,000.

Quinnine made a pair of 3-pointers during a 19-0 run which gave Xavier a 21-2 lead in the eighth minute. Quinnine was one of five newcomers to score during the run.

The Gold Nuggets (1-0) led 45-15 at halftime and took their largest lead, 82-25, after Etheral Lesene's basket with 6:40 remaining.

Chelsea Broussard scored 10 points, and Paige Gauthier and Paige Rochelle scored nine apiece for Xavier. Newcomer Talor Hixon led the Gold Nuggets with six rebounds and six assists.

Myia Russell had 14 points and eight rebounds for Johnson & Wales (0-4), and Shikina McMillan scored 11. The Lady Wildcats lost by 50 or more points for the second consecutive day.

More on this game will be posted online at http://www.xula.edu/athletics/news/2012/1103a.html

By Ed Cassiere, SID
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XULAATHLETICS