NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana used a standout first-half defense and a record-setting free-throw performance to earn a 63-42 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Edward Waters on Monday at XU's new Convocation Center.
The victory was the fourth in a row and the 10th in 11 games for the Gold Rush (21-4 overall, 8-1 GCAC), ranked 13th in NAIA Division I. Xavier extended its conference lead to two games when Philander Smith lost 80-68 at SUNO.
Wanto Joseph scored 21 points, Anthony Simmons 11 and Denzell Erves 10 for Xavier. Odayne Clarke led Edward Waters (9-12, 5-4) with 15 points.
Xavier led 26-11 at halftime after allowing its fewest points in a half since the start of the 2003-04 season. The Gold Rush limited the Tigers to 3-of-20 from the floor in the first half.
Xavier set a school record for free-throw accuracy by making all 18 attempts, 15 in the second half. Joseph was 8-of-8 from the line, and Erves was 4-of-4.
Darion Green's basket with 6:41 remaining trimmed Xavier's lead to 46-37, but the Tigers never got any closer in the second half. Xavier outscored the Tigers 17-5 thereafter to finish with its largest lead of the game.
For the game the Gold Rush outshot the Tigers 52.5 to 31.8 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 35-19. Simmons led Xavier with eight rebounds, and Erves grabbed five to become the seventh Gold Rush player to reach 700 in a career.
The winning margin was Xavier's largest of the season. It was the second time in four games that the Gold Rush allowed fewer than 50 points.
Xavier's next game will start at noon Saturday against Philander Smith in Little Rock, Ark. The next Gold Rush home game will start at 5 p.m. on Feb. 23 against Dillard.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XULAATHLETICS
GCACSPORTS
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