Battle for 1st with Rush, Tornadoes is just part of the fun

NEW ORLEANS -- Two of the NAIA's hottest men's basketball teams, Xavier University of Louisiana and Talladega, will meet at 7:30 p.m. at XU's Convocation Center to cap an event-filled Monday.

Also scheduled that day are:

# Free food on the Yard (University Center lawn) at noon with performances by the XU cheerleaders.

# A 6 p.m. beauty fair, sponsored by the Office of Campus Activities, on the Convocation Center upper concourse.

# A chance for fans to win $250 in adidas gear at the men's game and the 5:30 p.m. women's game between XU and Talladega.

Xavier's men are 19-6, ranked 18th in NAIA Division I and have won eight straight since a 93-78 loss Jan. 5 at Talladega in their Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener. The Tornadoes are 21-3, ranked third and have NAIA DI's longest active win streak, 16 games.

Talladega is 8-0 in the GCAC, and the Gold Rush are 8-1. The Tornadoes are the highest ranked opponent to visit the Rush since 2008. An XU victory would clinch a fifth consecutive 20-win season.

In the women's game, XU's Gold Nuggets (14-11, 7-2) will try to strengthen their hold on second place in the GCAC and move four victories above .500 for the first time this season. The Nuggets opened their GCAC schedule with a 67-60 victory at Talladega.

The Nuggets will wear pink accessories as part of their annual game dedicated to awareness of women's cancers.

XU faculty, staff and students will receive free admission to the doubleheader.

The games will be Xavier's last at home before the Feb. 28 Crosstown Classic against Dillard. After Talladega, the Rush and Nuggets will play three straight on the road.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director 
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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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