NEW ORLEANS -- Sydney Coleman scored 15 points Saturday, and Morris Wright's drawn charge, defensive rebound and two free throws in the closing seconds helped NAIA No. 19 Xavier University of Louisiana secure a 54-49 men's basketball victory against Dillard.
The Gold Rush (17-6, 6-1 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) extended its season-best win streak to six games. Xavier clinched a 15th consecutive winning season, which extended a school record.
Xavier beat its longtime city rival for the 11th consecutive time at Dillard's Dent Hall -- the streak began in 2002 -- and beat the Bleu Devils (3-18, 1-5) for the 21st time in 24 meetings during Dannton Jackson's 12 seasons as XU's head coach.
"It was a hard-fought game by both teams for 40 minutes," said Jackson, who is 266-113 with the Gold Rush. "We kept our composure in an emotional atmosphere and got some key stops at the end."
Dillard erased most of a 10-point deficit in the final five minutes and twice had a chance to tie with 3-pointers in the final minute. But Wright drew a charge against JaCarre Crockett with 31 seconds remaining, passed to Coleman on the next possession for Xavier's final field goal, then grabbed a rebound and made two free throws after Houston Chatman missed a 3-pointer for Dillard with Xavier leading 52-49.
Wright had 14 points, made two of Xavier's four 3-pointers and produced a career-high-tying five steals.
Jarrain Jenkins scored 13 points and Kristopher Allmon 10 for Dillard, which has lost 32 of its last 35 games.
Jarvis Thibodeaux's 3-point play with 19:08 remaining put Xavier ahead to stay, 29-26. Before that there were five ties and four lead changes. Xavier led 26-24 at halftime.
The Gold Rush outshot the Bleu Devils 58.8 to 32.6 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 29-22. Xavier committed 10 turnovers, its fewest in the last 22 games of the series.
Xavier leads the series 81-48. The teams will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Crosstown Classic at XU's Convocation Center.
Xavier began its streak of winning seasons in 1999-2000, when Jackson was an assistant to Dale Valdery. Earlier in the week, Xavier extended its streak of consecutive non-losing seasons to 24.
"It's all about the guys who play the game," Jackson said of XU's continued success. "They've weathered different storms, established chemistry. Day in and day out they do the hard work. It's about them. It's about team. They've faced adversity many times, and their success is a monument to their toughness and their will."
Next for the Gold Rush will be a 7:30 p.m. Monday game against GCAC opponent Edward Waters at the Convocation Center. It's the opener of a three-game home stand.
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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