Gold Nuggets win at Fisk in conference opener

After two dominating basketball victories in Puerto Rico,
the Gold Nuggets enjoyed some Christmas cheer.

ROSTER
SCHEDULE

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Xavier University of Louisiana opened its Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball schedule with a 50-44 victory at Fisk on Saturday.

Whitney Gaston had 10 points and a career-high three steals for the Gold Nuggets (11-5), who have won seven straight. Whitney Gathright and Danielle Tucker had nine points and six rebounds apiece, and Vinnie Briggs had seven points and six rebounds.

Gaston-Loyd scored in double figures for the seventh time this season.

Kim Cox and Rashida Ademosu scored 12 points apiece for the Lady Bulldogs (6-7, 0-1), Janine Davis scored 10, and Nacori Foreman grabbed 14 rebounds.

The Gold Nuggets led 26-16 at halftime after outscoring Fisk 13-2 in the final 7½ minutes of the period. Tucker's basket with 11:34 remaining gave Xavier its largest lead, 38-26.

Cox's 3-point play with 18 seconds remaining reduced the Nuggets' lead to 48-44, then Gathright made two free throws to close the scoring. Gathright was 4-of-4 from the line in the final 30 seconds.

Both teams struggled from the floor, with Xavier making a season-low 25.8 percent and Fisk shooting 27.7. The Nuggets committed 13 turnovers and gained 25, and both teams grabbed 44 rebounds.

The Nuggets have won 21 of their last 22 conference openers.

Xavier will travel to Denmark, S.C., to play first-year GCAC member Voorhees at 5:30 p.m. EST Monday. The Nuggets' next home game will start at 3 p.m. Saturday against conference and city rival SUNO at the Convocation Center.

 

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA