Nuggets shut down FMU on first day of Xavier Classic

NEW ORLEANS — Three Xavier University of Louisiana non-starters scored in double figures, and the Gold Nuggets' defense sparkled in a 76-58 women's basketball victory against Florida Memorial Friday in the Xavier Classic.
     
Jas Hill scored 23 points, Caprice Taylor 19 and Gina Smith 13 to lead a XULA (2-0) bench that scored 61 points. The Lady Lions (2-1) entered averaging 99 points and had a victory against Edward Waters — picked ahead of XULA in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll — but the Gold Nuggets limited them to 25 percent from the floor and gained 25 turnovers, 18 by steals.
     
"Our defense was very good," XULA coach Bo Browder said. "As for Jas and Caprice, we had a pretty good idea when we signed them that they were capable of performances like these."
     
Hill scored 16 second-half points. Taylor made four 3-pointers, giving her six through two games.
     
XULA dominated the even-numbered periods, outscoring Florida Memorial 23-14 in the second quarter and 25-12 in the fourth. Hill's basket with 6:34 remaining made it 59-48 and gave the Gold Nuggets a double-digit lead thereafter.
     
It was the first time in 14 years that XULA reached 75 points in regulation in each of the first two games of the season. The Gold Nuggets won 77-60 at home Wednesday against Stillman.
     
Ashleign Gary had 11 points and 11 rebounds for Florida Memorial but also led her team with five turnovers. Sisters Danielle Kanesha and Tyesha Battle scored 10 points apiece, and Unique Tate also had 10.
     
XULA led the final 24 minutes, including 38-31 at halftime, and answered with a 10-0 run than spanned parts of the third and fourth quarters after the Lady Lions reduced the margin from 14 points to one.

BOX SCORE
     
Also contributing for the Nuggets were Maya Trench with 11 assists — the fourth time in her career the 5-foot-2 point guard reached double figures — and Mikayla Bates with six steals, giving her 10 through two games. Bates has yet to commit a turnover this season.
     
Smith and Da'Jha Virgil grabbed six rebounds apiece. Smith and Essence Wells each blocked a pair of shots.
     
Langston got 29 points from Akia Frett in a 92-84 victory against LSU-Alexandria in the opening game. LSUA and Florida Memorial will meet at 2 p.m. Saturday, followed by XULA and Langston at 4.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications
Department of Athletics & Recreation
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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