Gold Nuggets beat Lady Panthers to end losing streak

NEW ORLEANS -- Sophomore guard Whitney Gathright scored 15 points Monday to lead NAIA No. 23 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 70-59 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against Philander Smith.

The Gold Nuggets (18-9, 8-2) ended a three-game losing streak and extended their home winning streak to 16. They're 10-0 at home this season.

Gathright also had six rebounds, four assists and three steals. She made 8-of-8 free throws and scored in double figures for the 17th time this season.

Paige Gauthier had 14 points and 11 rebounds for Xavier. Vinnie Briggs scored 10 points, and Chelsea Broussard had nine points and a season-high 10 rebounds.

Jerricka Scott had 18 points, eight rebounds and four steals for Philander Smith (15-13, 6-4), which lost for the second time in three days after winning 8-of-9. Caryan Jones, Kanesha Merritt and Brittany Leonard scored nine points apiece for the Lady Panthers.

Xavier scored the first five points and never lost its lead. The Gold Nuggets led 33-24 at halftime and by 12 points three times in the second half.

Xavier outshot the Lady Panthers 33.8 to 31.3 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 60-34. The Nuggets converted 26 offensive rebounds into 21 second-chance points.

Xavier avenged an 83-59 loss to Philander Smith from two weeks earlier.

The Gold Nuggets' next game will start at 3 p.m. Saturday against GCAC opponent Tougaloo at the Convocation Center. It will be senior day for Broussard, Gauthier, Whitney Gaston-Loyd, Carmen Holcombe and Danielle Tucker.

Box score

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