NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- RJ Daniels scored 15 points, and NAIA No. 25 Xavier University of Louisiana limited Fisk to 21.8 percent from the floor in a 75-46 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory Saturday.
Xavier (11-4) allowed its fewest points ever in a GCAC opener. The field-goal percentage defense was Xavier's best in a road game since the start of the 2003-04 season and its best in a conference game since 2010.
It was the fourth time this season a Gold Rush opponent shot less than 30 percent. Xavier entered the game No. 2 in NAIA Division I in field-goal percentage defense.
Sydney Coleman had 14 points and a season-high three blocks for the Gold Rush, and Xavier Rogers produced 11 points, a career-high eight rebounds and a career-high-tying four steals. Gary Smith had a career-high tying five assists and no turnovers.
Xavier led 38-19 at halftime -- its largest
on the road since 2008 -- and by 35 points twice in the final two minutes. The Gold Rush never trailed and outscored the Bulldogs 12-2 in the first five minutes.
Daniels scored in double figures for the first time in six games and the sixth time this season. He grabbed a career-best seven rebounds. Coleman reached double figures for a team-leading 13th time.
Austin Watkins had 22 points, nine rebounds and five steals for Fisk, which was 2-0 against Xavier a year ago, and Nathan Mungo scored 10. Watkins scored 15 first-half points, but his teammates were a combined 1-of-18 from the floor in that period.
The Gold Rush shot 50.9 percent from the floor and made six 3-pointers. Xavier has won six of its last seven games, including 4-of-5 on the road.
Xavier will travel to Denmark, S.C., to play first-year GCAC member Voorhees at 7:30 p.m. EST Monday. The next Gold Rush home game will start at 5 p.m. Saturday against conference and city rival SUNO at the Convocation Center.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XULAATHLETICS
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