Rush can't handle Payne in first Convocation Center loss

NEW ORLEANS -- Guy Payne made 5-of-6 3-pointers and scored 34 points Monday to lead William Carey in a 78-68 men's basketball victory against NAIA No. 19 Xavier University of Louisiana.

It was the first loss in six games for Xavier (6-1) in its Convocation Center, which opened Nov. 3.

Payne, a 6-foot-6 junior forward in his first season at William Carey (5-0), was 12-of-15 from the floor and 5-of-8 from the line in 29 minutes. He entered the game averaging 9.3 points. Payne scored 20 points in the second half.

Jeremiah Dunnings scored 17 points and Donzedrick Smith 11 for the Crusaders, who took the lead for good at 25-22 on a Dunnings 3-pointer at 5:02 of the first half. William Carey led 35-31 at halftime and 48-32 after Smith's basket with 13:35 remaining.

Wanto Joseph scored 18 points and Anthony Simmons 17 for Xavier, and Denzell Erves had 12 points and 11 rebounds in his fifth double-double of the season and second in a row.

Gary Smith's basket in the 12th minute gave Xavier its final lead, 18-16.

Xavier outshot William Carey 48.1 to 42.6 percent from the floor, but the Crusaders outrebounded the Gold Rush 40-27. Xavier entered the game with a plus-13.2 rebound margin. Xavier made 12-of-17 free throws after attempting an average of 30.7 in its first six games.

William Carey played without two starters, one injured and the other suspended, and snapped Xavier's 13-game home win streak. It was the third XU loss in its last 51 non-conference home games.

It was the second victory in three nights against a ranked opponent for William Carey, which won 79-76 at home Saturday against NAIA No. 6 Southern Poly.

Xavier will play Concordia (Ala.) at. 2 p.m. Friday and Wiley at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Memphis HBCU Classic at Southwest Tennessee Community College.

BOX SCORE

By Ed Cassiere, SID
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA