Tornadoes rally in final 10 minutes, end Rush win streak

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NEW ORLEANS -- Brandon Peters had 17 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals Monday to help Talladega rally for a 78-69 victory against Xavier University of Louisiana in a matchup of ranked NAIA Division I men's basketball teams.

The Tornadoes (22-3, 9-0 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) have won 17 in a row, the longest active streak in the division. They snapped the season-high eight-game win streak of the Gold Rush (19-7, 8-2).

Talladega is ranked third, and Xavier is 18th.

Peters, the GCAC Player of the Year last season, scored five points during a six-minute run which turned Talladega's 51-50 deficit into a 68-56 advantage with 3:59 remaining. The Tornadoes made three 3-pointers during the surge, two by Darrian Provost.

Shondel Stewart had 15 points and seven rebounds for Talladega, and Courtney Mack had 14 points and eight rebounds.

Anthony Goode made four 3-pointers and scored 19 points for Xavier, and Gary Smith scored 16 to match his career best. Wesley Pluviose-Philip grabbed seven rebounds.

Xavier shot 61.5 percent from the floor and got nine points from Goode and eight from Smith to take a 40-34 halftime lead. In the second half, Xavier shot 47.6 percent and committed 14 turnovers.

For the game, Xavier outshot Talladega 55.3 to 47.3 percent from the floor. Both teams made seven 3-pointers. Talladega made 19-of-29 free throws to Xavier's 10-of-16. The Tornadoes committed 12 turnovers and gained 22.

Xavier had not lost since its GCAC opener Jan. 5, a 93-78 decision at Talladega.

The next Gold Rush game will start at 4 p.m. Saturday against Philander Smith in Little Rock, Ark. Xavier's next home game will start at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 against Dillard in the Crosstown Classic at XU's Convocation Center.

Box score

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director 
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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