Gold Rush hold on for 48-45 victory against Mobile

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier Rogers scored 14 points and blocked a shot in the closing seconds Thursday to help NAIA No. 19 Xavier University of Louisiana preserve a 48-45 men's basketball victory against Mobile.

The Gold Rush (7-3) completed a two-game season sweep of the Rams (2-7) and won for the sixth time in seven home games this season. Xavier has won 55 of its last 60 non-conference home games.

Rogers blocked Cody Scott's field-goal attempt with eight seconds remaining and Xavier leading 47-45. Xavier's Gary Smith made 1-of-2 free throws for the final point, then Mobile's Kwame Beard missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Sydney Coleman had 13 points and seven rebounds for Xavier, and Anthony Goode and Morris Wright scored eight points apiece. Wright had five assists.

Julien Sargent scored 15 points and Scott 12 for Mobile.

Xavier outshot the Rams 45.5 to 34.8 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 32-21.

The Gold Rush scored the first five points, held Mobile scoreless the first five minutes and never lost the lead. Xavier led 22-17 at halftime and took its largest lead, 32-19, on Goode's basket with 16:54 remaining.

Mobile remained in contention because Xavier missed six consecutive missed free throws in the final 33 seconds

It was the first time since February 2010 that the Gold Rush scored fewer than 50 points in a countable game, and it was the first time since January 2009 that the Rush won with fewer than 50 points.

It was Xavier's final game before fall semester final exams, which will begin Monday. The next Gold Rush game will start at 4 p.m. on Dec. 14 against city rival Loyola -- the first of six straight on the road. The next home game will start at 5 p.m. on Jan. 11 against SUNO.

Box score

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