Generals strike early, give Rush 1st loss of season

ALEXANDRIA, Louisiana — LSU-Alexandria made 4-of-5 3-pointers in the first four minutes Wednesday and opened its men's basketball season with a 92-65 victory against Xavier University of Louisiana.

The Generals, ranked second in the NAIA and a national semifinalist last season, led 16-1 when Evan Smith made a 3-pointer at 16:17 of the first half. LSUA led 45-26 at halftime and took its largest lead, 88-47, on Bradley Savoy's trey with 5:23 remaining. But the Gold Rush (4-1) got six points and three assists from Jalen David in an 18-4 closing run.

David finished with 13 points and led the Gold Rush with seven rebounds and five assists. Redshirt freshman Monte Lambert, in his season debut, scored 10 points for XULA, all in the second half, and Rayshawn Mart and Virgil Davison scored eight apiece.

Jordin Williams scored 17 points, Smith 16 and Brandon Moss and William Claiborne 11 apiece for LSUA, which is 39-0 all-time at home. Claiborne had game highs of nine rebounds and two blocked shots.

LSUA outshot XULA 46.8 to 41 percent from the floor and had advantages of 11-4 in made 3-pointers and 23-11 in made free throws. The Generals were plus-4 in rebounds and turnovers.

The Gold Rush will travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., to play NAIA No. 16 William Carey at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. XULA will play host to LSUA Nov. 29 at the Convocation Center.

BOX SCORE

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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