NEW ORLEANS -- Sophomore guard Morris Wright's 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds remaining Saturday lifted NAIA No. 19 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 71-68 men's basketball victory against Albany State.
The Gold Rush (2-0) outscored the Rams (0-1) 9-3 in the final two minutes to win for the 51st time in 55 non-conference home games.
Larry Bullock's 3-pointer with 1:03 remaining gave Albany State a 68-66 lead, but Xavier tied the score with 35 seconds remaining after's Sydney Coleman offensive rebound and dunk.
Bullock stepped out of bounds near his bench with 13 seconds remaining to set up Xavier's winning possession. Gary Smith passed to the left corner to Wright, who sank his fifth 3-pointer in six attempts.
After an Albany State timeout, Joseph Williams' inbound pass hit the scoreboard at center court and went out of bounds to give Xavier possession.
Wright finished with 15 points. Coleman led Xavier with 18 points and grabbed six rebounds. Smith scored nine points to tie a career high and grabbed a career-best five rebounds.
Xavier used 10 players, all of whom scored.
Jamorris Gaines made five 3-pointers and scored 21 points for Albany State, an NCAA Division II member, and Bullock scored 20.
Xavier shot 57.1 percent from the floor for the second consecutive game and outrebounded the Rams 30-16. Redshirt freshman Wesley Pluviose-Philip led the Gold Rush with seven rebounds and has 17 in two games.
Xavier trailed 19-12 through nine minutes before rallying for a 39-32 halftime lead. Wright made 4-of-4 3-pointers in the first half.
The XU men will play their first regular-season road game at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the University of Mobile. The next home game will start at 7 p.m. Thursday against Wiley.
Box scoreBy Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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