Gold Nuggets win at Tougaloo to close regular season

TOUGALOO, Mississippi — Freshman point guard Maya Trench scored 16 points Saturday, seven during a decisive third-quarter run, to lead Xavier University of Louisiana to a 62-50 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against Tougaloo.

The Gold Nuggets (17-12, 6-6) snapped a two-game losing streak in their regular-season finale. They'll play Friday in the opening round of the GCAC Tournament at SUNO — time and opponent are still to be determined. Game times at The Castle will be noon, 2 and 5 p.m.

After Tougaloo's Shenequa Foster made 1-of-2 free throws to tie the score at 25 at 8:11 of the third quarter, XULA pulled away for good with a 16-3 run. Trench and Mikayla Bates made 3-pointers during the run, and Trench's deuce at 2:26 gave the Gold Nuggets a 41-28 advantage.

For the third time this season, XULA outscored its opponent in every quarter. The Gold Nuggets led 23-20 at halftime.

Bianca Brown and Trench were the only Gold Nuggets with more than six points. Brown had nine points, eight rebounds and a career-best three blocked shots.

Ahsia Clayton made 4-of-7 3-pointers and scored 17 points for Tougaloo (10-14, 5-6), which never led.

XULA outshot the Lady Bulldogs 37.9 to 33.3 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 35-23.

XULA beat Tougaloo for the 14th consecutive time and the 27th time in their last 28 meetings. Tougaloo will close its regular season at home Monday against Dillard.

BOX SCORE

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