Rush earn share of GCAC regular-season championship

NEW ORLEANS — Virgil Davison scored a career-high 26 points, 18 in the second half, to help NAIA No. 25 Xavier University of Louisiana rally Wednesday for a 74-62 men's basketball victory against Talladega and grab a share of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season championship.
     
XULA (22-7, 9-3) shared the title with Dillard, which will have a first-round bye in the GCAC Tournament. The Gold Rush will be the No. 2 seed and play seventh-seeded Edward Waters Friday at Dillard's Dent Hall. The GCAC will announce the bracket and times Thursday.
     
The Gold Rush trailed 14-2 after seven minutes and 30-25 at halftime. But XULA shot 63.6 percent from the floor in the second half and outscored the Tornadoes (19-10, 8-4) 49-32 in that period.
     
Davison's fourth 3-pointer put XULA ahead to stay at 59-56 with 3:10 remaining.
    
 Galen Smith scored 10 points for XULA, which was 10-20 last season.
     
Devonte Dixon scored 18 points, Arcuas McGhee and and Khaliel Spearman had 13 apiece, and Carl Taylor scored 10 for Talladega. McGhee grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked four shots.
     
Seniors Jalen David, Elex Carter, Joseph Williams and Rondell Best were honored in a pregame ceremony. All four started the game. It was the first-ever XULA appearance for Best, who has battled injuries since transferring from NCAA Division III Daniel Webster. Best played the first minute and 42 seconds and grabbed a rebound and blocked a shot.   

XULA has won 20 championships at the confBOXerence or district level. This is the first Gold Rush title since the 2013-14 GCAC regular season. 



BOX SCORE

GCAC Tournament


MEN
Friday first round at Dillard
Noon — 4-Philander Smith vs. 5-Tougaloo
2 p.m. — 3-Talladega vs. 6-SUNO
5 p.m. — 2-XULA vs. 7-Edward Waters
1-Dillard has bye

Saturday semifinals at XULA
2 p.m. — 1-Dillard vs. Philander Smith-Tougaloo winner
7 p.m. — XULA-Edward Waters winner vs. Talladega-SUNO winner

Sunday championship at XULA
4 p.m.

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