NEW ORLEANS -- NAIA No. 13 Xavier University of Louisiana used an 11-minute run covering two halves to earn a 69-61 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Talladega at XU's new Convocation Center.
The victory, coupled with Philander Smith's 77-76 overtime loss at Tougaloo, gave the Gold Rush (20-4 overall 7-1 GCAC) sole possession of first place in the conference. Xavier reached 20 victories for the third consecutive season, the eighth time in Dannton Jackson's 10 seasons as head coach and the 28th time overall. Xavier holds the Louisiana men's collegiate record for 20-win seasons.
Xavier has won three straight and nine of its last 10 games.
Xavier produced five double-figure scorers for the fifth time this season but the first time since mid-December. Anthony Simmons led the Gold Rush with 14 points and nine rebounds. Wanto Joseph had 13 points, five assists and three steals. Nick Haywood scored 12 points -- his first time in 10 games to reach double figures -- and Denzell Erves and Renard Smith scored 11 each.
Phillip Wood scored 13 points for Talladega (12-10, 4-4), and Jantzen Carter and Elijah Jones scored 12 each.
Carter's 3-pointer in the 19th minute gave the Tornadoes their largest lead, 35-28, then Xavier scored 28 of the next 31 points, including the final 17 consecutively. Joseph had seven points and three assists during the burst, and Haywood and Simmons each scored six points.
Erves' basket with 18:26 remaining put the Gold Rush ahead to stay, 39-37. Smith's two free throws capped the run and gave Xavier its largest lead, 56-38, with 9:29 remaining.
Xavier did not make a 3-pointer for the second consecutive game, but the Rush excelled at the line, making 31-of-39 free throws. Haywood, an 86-percent shooter in two XU seasons, made a career-best 8-of-8.
The Gold Rush outshot Talladega 41.3 to 37.5 percent from the floor and had a 39-29 rebound advantage. Both teams committed 15 turnovers.
Xavier's next game will start at 7:30 p.m. Monday against GCAC opponent Edward Waters at the Convocation Center.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XULAATHLETICS
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