Xavier's Gold Rush defeat SUNO in overtime, 70-68

NEW ORLEANS -- Wanto Joseph's basket with seven-tenths of a second remaining in overtime gave NAIA No. 16 Xavier University of Louisiana a 70-68 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against city rival SUNO.

The Gold Rush (16-3) have won five in a row and are 4-0 in the GCAC for the first time since the 2003-04 season.

Joseph scored six points in the final 2½ minutes after SUNO grabbed a 66-62 lead.

Anthony Simmons scored a season-high-tying 20 points, Joseph had 18 points and 12 assists, and Denzell Erves had 18 points and 13 rebounds for Xavier.

Broc Willis scored a season-high 17 points for SUNO (8-3, 2-2). Clyde Moore had 15 points and seven rebounds, and Kevin Dukes and Russell Moore scored 10 points each.

Joseph made 1-of-2 free throws with 11.8 seconds remaining in the second half to tie the score at 60. Then both teams missed shots which would've ended the game in regulation.

Xavier remained in a tie for first in the conference with Philander Smith, a double-overtime winner at Talladega. Xavier and Philander Smith will meet at noon Saturday at the Convocation Center.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
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