LSUS defeats Gold Rush 65-55 in matchup of ranked teams

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana — Lyndale James scored 19 points, and LSU-Shreveport used two runs in the final seven minutes to defeat Xavier University of Louisiana 65-55 in men's basketball Tuesday.

The Pilots, ranked 14th in NAIA Division I, are 3-2. The Gold Rush, ranked 19th, are 6-2.

A Morris Wright 3-pointer with 7:03 remaining gave Xavier its final lead, 48-47. LSUS scored the next eight points and took the lead for good, 49-48, on Manny Martin's basket at 6:41. Another Wright 3-pointer trimmed the Pilots' lead to 55-53 at 3:12, but LSUS answered with another 8-0 run.

James was 9-of-13 from the floor and had seven rebounds and two steals. Tyrell Springer had 14 points, six assists and five steals for the Pil ots, Manny Martin scored 12, and Josh Walker had 10 points and nine rebounds.

For Xavier, Wright scored 22 points, 15 in the second half, and made four 3-pointers. RJ Daniels scored 14. Elex Carter blocked a career-best four shots — it was his sixth consecutive game with multiple blocks — and Gary Smith grabbed a career-high nine rebounds.

LSUS scored 13 consecutive points after Wright opened the game with a 3-pointer and led 28-24 at halftime.

Both teams shot 41 percent from the floor. The Pilots were plus-4 on turnovers and outrebounded the Gold Rush 40-34.

It was the teams' first meeting since the 2012 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship in Kansas City, Mo., and their first regular-season meeting since 2010. They'll meet again at 5 p.m. Dec. 29 in the Gold Rush Holiday Classic. The Pilots lead the series 13-3.

Next for Xavier will be a 7 p.m. Friday game against NCAA Division II's Clark Atlanta at the Convocation Center.

BOX SCORE

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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