Gold Nuggets clamp down on Lady Tigers, win 63-49

Paige Gauthier

NEW ORLEANS --  Paige Gauthier scored 17 points, and a lengthy second-half defensive stand helped Xavier University of Louisiana earn a 63-49 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against Edward Waters.

The Gold Nuggets (14-6, 4-0) have won 10 of their last 11 games and have a 13-game home winning streak which dates to last year. They're 7-0 at home this season.

Whitney Gathright had 11 points, eight assists and four steals for Xavier. Twelve-of-14 Gold Nuggets scored.

Edward Waters (8-9, 3-1) entered with five double-figure scorers, but only two reached that level against Xavier. Kyeshia Dawkins had 15 points and three steals, and Jacqui Harries had 10 points, five assists and four rebounds. Amber Antoine, who entered with team-leading averages of 13.3 points and 10.2 rebounds, finished with five points and seven rebounds in 31 minutes. Antoine was 2-of-12 from the floor.

Xavier led 29-25 at halftime after building a 13-point lead, and Thomia Wadley's basket with 17:48 remaining tied the score at 29. But the Gold Nuggets outscored Edward Waters 11-0 during the next 10 minutes and capped the run with a Gathright 3-point play with 8:04 remaining. Xavier maintained a double-digit lead thereafter and made it 52-32 when freshman Kelsey Joseph scored at 5:35.

It was the eighth time this season that Xavier allowed fewer than 50 points.

Gauthier had 12 first-half points and finished with her highest total since Dec. 1. The senior guard was 7-of-10 from the floor, and she and Gathright each made a pair of 3-pointers.

Xavier outshot the Lady Tigers 43.6 to 29.6 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 43-27.

Xavier and 10th-ranked Talladega are the only unbeaten teams remaining in the GCAC. They'll meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Convocation Center.

Box score

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