Gold Nuggets' second-half rally falls short at SUNO

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana reduced a double-digit lead to three in the closing minutes before SUNO secured a 61-56 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory at The Castle on Saturday.

The Gold Nuggets (17-8, 8-2), ranked 20th in NAIA Division I, suffered back-to-back GCAC losses for the first time in five years.

Xavier trailed 39-23 after Sabrina Scott's basket for SUNO with 14:32 remaining. But Paige Gauthier made 3-of-3 3-pointers for the Gold Nuggets thereafter, and her final trey cut the Lady Knights' lead to 59-56 with 27 seconds remaining.

After an XU timeout, Vinnie Briggs produced a backcourt steal for Xavier, but SUNO's Brandy Broome -- the NAIA Division I leader in steals -- answered with another steal with 15 seconds remaining. Broome was fouled and made two free throws with 10 seconds remaining to close the scoring.

Broome had 21 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and four steals. Scott had 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots. Victoria Davis made 6-of-6 free throws and scored 14 points.

Gauthier had 10 points and was Xavier's only double-figure scorer. She also had six rebounds, four assists, a block and two steals. Danielle Tucker had nine points and 11 rebounds, and Chelsea Broussard scored eight. The Nuggets' season scoring leader, Whitney Gathright, was 1-of-7 from the floor and had four points, but the sophomore guard also had six assists and three steals.

SUNO (12-6, 6-3) led the final 28 minutes, including 33-21 at halftime. They gained a regular-season split with the Gold Nuggets, who won 74-52 at Xavier on Jan. 11.

SUNO outshot the Gold Nuggets 38.3 to 29.7 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 50-40.

Xavier's next game will start at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at William Carey. The Gold Nuggets' next home game will start at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 17 against Philander Smith.

Box score

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