XU Nuggets defeat Tougaloo, extend home win streak to 17

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana celebrated women's basketball senior day with a wire-to-wire 76-62 victory against Tougaloo on Saturday.

It was the 17th consecutive home victory for the Gold Nuggets (19-9, 9-2 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference), ranked 25th in NAIA Division I. Xavier is 11-0 at home this season.

Danielle Tucker, one of five seniors honored in a halftime ceremony, led Xavier with 14 points in 15 minutes. Tucker was 6-of-8 from the floor and made both her 3-point attempts. Whitney Gaston-Loyd, another senior, had 12 points and a team-high five rebounds for the Gold Nuggets. Sophomore Whitney Gathright had 10 points and five assists.

The other seniors honored were Carmen Holcombe (seven points, four assists, two steals), Paige Gauthier (two points, six assists, three steals) and Chelsea Broussard (six points and a career-best four blocked shots).

Portia Craft had 21 points and six rebounds for Tougaloo (11-14, 3-8) and Chasity Kearney had 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Xavier outscored Tougaloo 9-0 in the first three minutes and led 15-5 through seven minutes. Gaston-Loyd's basket at 9:36 made it 23-12, and Xavier maintained its double-digit lead for the remainder of the game.

Broussard's four blocks were the most in a game by an XU player since February 2010. The Gold Nuggets blocked a season-high seven shots.

Gaston-Loyd scored in double figures for the first time in 11 games.

Xavier outshot the Lady Bulldogs 44.3 to 34.5 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 41-36. The Gold Nuggets have won 32 straight at home against Tougaloo since 1982.

Xavier will conclude the regular season at 3 p.m Saturday at conference and city rival Dillard, then play host to the GCAC Tournament from March 6-9.


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