Gold Rush 10-1 on road after 57-53 OT victory at Mobile

Anthony Simmons

Wanto Joseph

Denzell Erves

MOBILE, Ala. -- Seniors Wanto Joseph, Anthony Simmons and Denzell Erves combined for all but three of Xavier University of Louisiana's points after halftime in a 57-53 overtime men's basketball victory against Mobile on Monday.

The Gold Rush (19-4), ranked 11th in NAIA Division I, completed a two-game season sweep of the Rams (11-9). Xavier has won eight of its last nine games. The Gold Rush are 10-1 on the road this season.

Joseph scored 17 points, Simmons 15 and Erves 12 for Xavier, which led 20-18 at halftime but needed a Simmons free throw with 15 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the score at 49 and force overtime.

Joseph's two free throws at 3:39 of overtime tied the score at 51, then he converted his steal into an assist to Erves for a basket at 2:54 to put the Gold Rush ahead to stay, 53-51.

Mobile missed two shots in the final 20 seconds which could've tied the score. Erves made two free throws with two seconds remaining to clinch the victory. Xavier is 3-0 in overtime this season, its best mark since going 4-0 in 1992-93.

Chris Richardson scored 13 points for Mobile, which had dropped three straight, and Julien Sargent had 12 points and eight rebounds.

Xavier missed all six of its 3-point attempts but outshot Mobile 44.2 to 34 percent from the floor. The Rams had a 36-30 rebound advantage, but Erves grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds in his 14th double-double of the season and 21st of his career.

Xavier has beaten Mobile seven consecutive times -- the longest Gold Rush win streak in the series -- and 10 of the past 11. Xavier leads the series 32-26.

Xavier's next game will start at noon Saturday against Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opponent Talladega at XU's new Convocation Center. Xavier and Philander Smith are 6-1 in the GCAC and share first place.

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