HATTIESBURG, Mississippi — Morris Wright scored 20 points Saturday, including the go-ahead basket with 1:52 remaining, to lead NAIA No. 17 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 64-61 men's basketball victory against William Carey.
It was the first road victory of the season for the Gold Rush (9-3). Xavier is 1-3 on the road and 8-0 at home. It was the Crusaders' first home loss in five games this season.
RJ Daniels scored 12 points for Xavier, and Lucas Martin-Julien and Gary Smith scored 10 points apiece. Elex Carter grabbed a game-high seven rebounds, and Martin-Julien had a career-high four steals.
Donta Pittman scored a season-high 25 points, 17 in the second half, for William Carey (5-5), and Leo Garrett had 11.
Wright scored Xavier's final seven points, including a 2-pointer in the 39th minute to put the Gold Rush ahead to stay. His two free throws with 11 seconds remaining concluded the scoring, and William Carey missed a 2-pointer on its final possession.
Xavier led 31-27 at halftime. The game had nine ties and 12 lead changes.
The longtime rivals will meet again Feb. 11 — two days after Mardi Gras — at XU's Convocation Center. Xavier leads the series 46-32, including nine victories in its last 12 games at William Carey.
Next for Xavier will be LeMoyne-Owen at 6 p.m. Thursday in the JCJ Classic at Memphis, Tennessee.
BOX SCOR
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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