Gold Rush double up on Martin Methodist, win 64-57

MOBILE, Ala. -- Wanto Joseph, Anthony Simmons and Denzell Erves produced double-doubles Friday for NAIA No. 16 Xavier University of Louisiana in a 64-57 men's basketball victory against Martin Methodist in the Spring Hill Classic.

The Gold Rush (10-2), playing for the first time since the conclusion of semester exams earlier in the day, are 4-0 on the road this season.

Joseph, the reigning Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week, and Xavier Rogers led Xavier with 15 points apiece. Joseph had a career-high 10 assists, nine in the first half. Simmons had 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Erves had 10 points and 12 rebounds. Nick Haywood made a season-high four 3-pointers and scored 13 points for Xavier, which produced five double-figure scorers for the second time this season.

Marlon Williams scored 18 points, Jeremy Rodgers a season-high 16 and Antonio Coleman 10 for Martin Methodist (6-7), which has lost three in a row.

Coleman's two free throws at 12:38 of the first half concluded a 16-0 run which gave the RedHawks an 18-7 advantage. Martin Methodist took its biggest lead, 20-8, on Davie Champagnie's basket at 10:58. Then Xavier scored 23 of the next 26 points -- including Haywood's 4-point play and Rogers' back-to-back 3-pointers -- and took the lead for good in the 16th minute. The Gold Rush led 33-28 at halftime. The final margin was Xavier's largest of the second half.

Rogers scored in double figures in consecutive games for the first time this season and scored his most points since the opener. Simmons' double-double was his fifth of the season, all in the last seven games, and 11th of his career. Erves' double-double was his seventh of the season and 14th of his career. It was the first time since the start of the 2003-04 season that Xavier had three double-doubles in a game.

Xavier outshot the RedHawks 42 to 39.6 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 34-30. Both teams committed 15 turnovers, but the Gold Rush had a 24-13 advantage in points off turnovers. Xavier's eight made 3-pointers -- its most since the opener -- in 17 attempts.

On Saturday, Xavier will play Voorhees (8-6) at 3 p.m., and Martin Methodist will play Spring Hill at 5 p.m. to conclude this event. Voorhees defeated Spring Hill 59-56 in Friday's second game.


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