Gold Rush wallop Fisk, finish 2-0 in Holiday Classic

NEW ORLEANS -- Morris Wright and Gary Smith combined to make 8-of-8 3-pointers in the final 32 minutes, and Elex Carter recorded his first double-double for Xavier University of Louisiana in a 68-44 men's basketball victory Wednesday against Fisk in the Gold Rush Holiday Classic.

The Gold Rush (12-4), ranked 17th in NAIA Division I, finished 2-0 in this event and won for the third straight time. The winning margin is Xavier's largest this season.

Wright, scoring in double figures for the 24th consecutive game, had 19 points and made his final six field-goal attempts, five of them 3-pointers. Smith scored 13 points and made a career-high three 3-pointers without a miss. Carter, in his first year at Xavier after transferring from Southern University, produced his team's first double-double of the season, career highs of 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Wright had a season-high six assists and zero turnovers one day after committing a season-worst seven turnovers in a victory against LSU-Shreveport. His five treys matched a season high. Smith tied his career best with three steals and produced back-to-back double-figure point performances for the first time in his career.

Jason Perry had eight points, nine rebounds and four blocks for Fisk (5-12), and Kameron Foster scored eight points.

Xavier took the lead for good in the fifth minute, and a 13-2 run gave the Gold Rush a 17-6 lead at 11:07 of the first half. Xavier led 37-19 at halftime -- its biggest intermission advantage of the season -- and took its biggest lead, 64-38, on Charles Savoy's free throw with 2:25 remaining.

Xavier outshot the Bulldogs 42.6 to 31.4 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 42-33. Xavier's 11 turnovers matched a season low and were 10 fewer than the previous day. It was the first time this season that the Gold Rush limited an opponent to less than 50 points.

In Wednesday's opening game, LSU-Shreveport built a 26-point lead and won 86-73 against Mobile. Fisk defeated Mobile Tuesday.

Xavier will be at home for its Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener at 7:30 p.m. Monday against Edward Waters. The Gold Rush are 10-0 at home this season.

BOX SCORE

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold