Gold Rush defeat Tigers for sixth consecutive victory

The 2013-14 Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball team.

ROSTER

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier Rogers scored 14 points Saturday, and NAIA No. 22 Xavier University of Louisiana held on for a 62-58 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Edward Waters.

The Gold Rush (15-4, 4-0) have won six straight -- a season high -- and 10-of-11.

Anthony Goode scored 13 points and Morris Wright 10 for Xavier. Recording season highs were Wright with five steals and Sydney Coleman with four blocked shots.

Antonio Valiente led Edward Waters (9-8, 3-1) with 15 points -- he made three 3-pointers -- and Odayne Clarke had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Edward Waters reduced Xavier's 13-point lead to one in the final 10 minutes, but the Gold Rush secured the victory with three free throws in the final 13 seconds.

Xavier trailed 10-5 through six minutes before answering with a 13-3 run. Wright's basket at 7:59 of the first half put the Gold Rush ahead to stay, 15-13. Xavier led 33-25 at halftime and took its largest lead, 48-35, after an RJ Daniels offensive rebound and dunk with 9:45 remaining.

Edward Waters outshot Xavier 42 to 40.4 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Gold Rush 36-29. The Tigers outrebounded Xavier 12-1 through 12 minutes, but the Gold Rush led 28-24 thereafter. Xavier committed 14 turnovers and gained 21 to match its best turnover margin of the season. The Gold Rush made 18-of-26 free throws, and the Tigers made 11-of-18.

Xavier, ranked second in NAIA Division I in scoring defense, allowed less than 60 points for the sixth consecutive game -- the longest Gold Rush streak since eight straight at the start of the 1951-52 season.

Xavier and eighth-ranked Talladega are the only unbeaten teams remaining in the GCAC. They'll meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Convocation Center.

Box score

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