Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Harris-Stowe holds on to beat Gold Nuggets 59-58

 
Photo Gallery: XU vs. Harris-Stowe women's basketball in XU Holiday Classic
Photos by Yamlak Tsega
NEW ORLEANS -- Mia Wesley's 21 points and Lorraine Pitchford's 20 rebounds helped Harris-Stowe hold on for a 59-58 women's basketball victory Tuesday against NAIA No. 19 Xavier University of Louisiana in the Xavier Holiday Classic.

The Lady Hornets (4-5) earned a split of their two games in this event. The Gold Nuggets (7-8) lost both their games and stretched their losing streak to four, their longest since February 2007.

Harris-Stowe twice led by 17 points, the second time at 49-32 when Leah Hamilton made two free throws with 7:54 remaining. Xavier scored the final 10 points but missed a free throw and two field goals in the final nine seconds.

Hamilton scored 15 points and KeAris Vaughn 11 for Harris-Stowe.

Vinnie Briggs scored 16 points for the Gold Nuggets, and Trana Hopkins had 12. Xavier's season scoring leader, Whitney Gathright, had a season-low six points and was 2-of-12 from the floor.

Harris-Stowe outscored Xavier 8-1 in the final six minutes of the first half to take a 27-22 halftime lead. Wesley's 3-pointer at 3:18 put the Lady Hornets ahead to stay, 22-21.

Harris-Stowe outshot the Gold Nuggets 33.9 to 28.4 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 49-47.

It's the first time since January 2010 that the Gold Nuggets lost consecutive home games.

Xavier will play its Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Talladega.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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