Gold Rush move closer to first place in conference

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana'sJalen David continued his hot streak Monday, scoring 18 points to lead the Gold Rush to a 71-61 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Edward Waters.
     
The Gold Rush (18-6, 5-2), ranked 23rd in the NAIA, moved half a game behind GCAC leaders Dillard and Talladega. Dillard beat Talladega to move into a tie for first place at 6-2.
     
David led XULA in scoring for the sixth time in the last eight games. He also grabbed eight rebounds.
     
Jeff Dixon and Joseph Williams scored 16 points apiece for XULA. Dixon had five assists to regain the NAIA Division I season lead with 129. Williams grabbed nine rebounds and blocked three shots.
     
Will Ibeh scored a career-high 27 points for the Tigers (6-15, 0-7), who lost for the ninth time in 10 games. Prince Braynen scored 14 points, and Rasaad Morgan had eight points, 11 rebounds and six blocks.
     
XULA had to right its ship twice. The Gold Rush trailed 7-2 and 12-6 but rallied to take a 37-24 halftime lead. The Tigers cut the XULA lead to 39-37 on an Ibeh 3-pointer with 13:26 remaining, but the Gold Rush answered with a 12-0 run over the next 4 1/2 minutes and clinch a 12th victory in the last 14 games.
     
XULA outshot Edward Waters 42.6 to 36.7 percent from the floor and made 26-of-34 free throws to the Tigers' 13-of-16. XULA had a 39-31 rebound advantage.
     
XULA will visit GCAC and city rival SUNO at 7:30 p.m. next Monday.

BOX SCORE

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