Gold Nuggets lose for first time in conference this season

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- Jerricka Scott scored a season-high 30 points Monday and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Philander Smith to an 83-59 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball upset of NAIA No. 23 Xavier University of Louisiana.

The Lady Panthers (14-11, 5-2) ended the five-game win streak of the Gold Nuggets (17-7, 7-1).

Xavier never led. Philander Smith outscored the Gold Nuggets 28-6 in the first 13 minutes and led 36-19 at halftime. Xavier never got closer than 12 points in the second half, the last time after Whitney Gathright's basket with 13:37 remaining made it 49-37.

Gathright, with 21 points, was Xavier's only double-figure scorer. She also had six assists. Chelsea Broussard had eight points and five rebounds.

Scott, a junior forward and an All-GCAC selection a year ago, was 8-of-10 from the floor, made her only 3-point attempt and was 13-of-18 from the line. Caryan Jones scored 14 points for Philander Smith, and Kanesha Merritt had 12.

Philander Smith outshot the Gold Nuggets 51.8 to 31.9 percent from the floor. Xavier made its first 11 free throws and finished 11-of-12 -- Gathright made all eight of her attempts -- and Philander Smith was 22-of-30. The Lady Panthers committed 23 turnovers and gained 28.

The loss was the fifth in Xavier's last 60 GCAC games. It was the Gold Nuggets' first double-digit loss in a conference game since 2009 and largest loss in a conference game since 2000.

Xavier and Philander Smith will meet again Feb. 17 at XU's Convocation Center.

Xavier will visit GCAC and city rival SUNO at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Box score

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