Gold Nuggets use second-half surge to win at Loyola

NEW ORLEANS -- Whitney Gathright scored 19 of her career-high 27 points in the second half Tuesday to lead NAIA No. 15 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 74-65 women's basketball victory against city rival Loyola at The Den.

The Gold Nuggets (5-5) trailed 35-31 at halftime but shot 61.5 percent in the second half to snap a three-game losing streak and halt Loyola's win streak at three.

Gathright, a sophomore guard, was 9-of-12 from the floor, 4-of-6 on 3-pointers and 5-of-9 from the line in 32 minutes. She also had five rebounds, two assists and four steals. Gathright became the second XU female in the last 10 seasons to reach 27 points -- the first since Brittany Powell did it in back-to-back games in January 2010.

Paige Gauthier had 11 points, four steals and a season-high eight assists for the Nuggets. Danielle Tucker had 10 points and five rebounds, and Vinnie Briggs had nine points and career-highs of five rebounds and five steals.

Janeicia Neely scored 22 points, including four 3-pointers, for Loyola. Jasmine Brewer had 11 points and seven rebounds, and Kylah Jones scored 10.

Loyola trailed most of the first half before making five of its last six shots during a 14-6 rally. The Wolf Pack extended the lead to 37-31 on a Neely basket to start the second half, then Xavier answered with an 11-2 run
which lasted less than three minutes. Gathright's 3-pointer at 17:23 put the Nuggets ahead to stay, 42-39.

Coach Bo Browder started four guards -- Gathright, Gauthier, Briggs and Emoni Harvey -- in the second half. They were a combined 11-of-19 from the floor after halftime, and Gathright, Gauthier and Briggs collected three steals apiece.

"That was a great combination for us," Browder said. "We generated some energy in the second half and made a lot of good things happen. I'll definitely start that lineup Thursday."

The second half was Xavier's most accurate from the floor since February 2012. The Nuggets shot 45.5 percent for the game. Loyola made 51.9 percent in the first half but finished at 47.2. Xavier committed 18 turnovers and gained 25.

Xavier will play William Carey at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Convocation Center.

Box score

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