NEW ORLEANS — Defense and Morris Wright have been important components of Xavier University of Louisiana's recent men's basketball success, and they were again Monday in a 56-45 victory against Edward Waters.
Wright scored 20 points, and the Gold Rush, ranked 19th in NAIA Division I, allowed less than 50 points to a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opponent for the second consecutive game. It's the first time in 20 years that XU recorded back-to-back sub-50s in the GCAC.
It was the seventh consecutive victory for Xavier (18-6, 7-1), its longest streak since winning nine straight from Jan. 10-Feb. 7, 2011.
"I thought our halfcourt defense in the first half was the best 20 minutes we've had all season," XU head coach Dannton Jackson said. "We were really engaged."
Xavier led 33-22 at halftime and made 9-of-10 free throws in the final 5:28 — 5-of-5 by Wright — after the Tigers (12-10, 2-6) cut the margin to 45-42. Xavier limited Edward Waters to one point in the final four minutes, a free throw with nine seconds remaining.
"Mo Wright came through at the end with some big plays," Jackson said.
Wright, Xavier's only double-figure scorer, made 3-of-5 3-pointers and had five rebounds, three assists and four steals. It was Wright's 19th double-figure scoring game this season and fifth 20-point game, both team-leading totals.
Sydney Coleman scored nine points and Troy Salvant eight for Xavier, which completed a two-game regular-season sweep of the Tigers.
Dontay Sheppard scored 15 points and Nathaniel Hill 11 for Edward Waters.
The Gold Rush are a half-game behind Talladega, which was idle, in the GCAC. Xavier's seven straight victories all occurred in conference after a 93-78 loss at Talladega in the GCAC opener Jan. 5. Since that loss the Gold Rush have allowed 54.6 points per game, and Wright averaged a team-best 15.1 points.
Talladega, ranked fourth nationally, will visit Xavier next Monday. But next for the Gold Rush will be a 7:30 p.m. Thursday home game against Voorhees, a team Xavier beat by 14 on the road last week.
"This is a journey for our team," said Jackson, who is trying to guide Xavier to the NAIA's national tournament for the fifth consecutive year. "A long journey."
Box score
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFOPFqMEgwynlxDb6I-RdZS2JlDy2eSLBu61Y5QQI1sQXAs8LDfGBwOa73iubTxFkRPYRubLxOcPeskWmsZtarXTBMvr0uifUfnC0Ml5VIJwbFxPxzMEr-xrX9G6P3DlHvG3aj-G1q3o/s1600-rw/GCAC+NEW+LOGO.jpg)
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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