HAMMOND, Louisiana — Xavier University of Louisiana outscored Southeastern Louisiana in each of the final three quarters to earn a 59-47 women's basketball victory Friday.
The Gold Nuggets (8-3), a longtime NAIA power, defeated an NCAA Division I team for the first time since a 64-55 home victory against Grambling on Nov. 23, 2007.
Mikayla Bates scored a season-high 12 points, Jas Hillscored 11, and Gina Smith produced her sixth career double-double with 11 points and a XULA season-high 14 rebounds.
"Our team is coming together," XULA coach Bo Browder said. "We stayed together, stuck to the scouting report and executed down the stretch. Our defense and rebounding were excellent."
Kyla Duncan's only field goal broke a tie at 22 and put the Gold Nuggets ahead to stay at 4:32 of the second quarter. XULA led 29-22 at halftime. Hill's 3-point play at 6:21 of the fourth quarter made it 49-39 and gave XULA a double-digit lead thereafter.
The Gold Nuggets outshot the Lady Lions 34.8 to 28.8 percent from the floor. XULA made seven 3-pointers, two apiece by Bates and Essence Wells, and 20-of-24 free throws, led by Hill's 7-of-7 performance and Nahrie Pierce's 4-of-4.
Jaclyn Scholvin, with 13 points, was the only double-figure scorer for Southeastern (4-2), which lost for the first time since its opener. Caitlyn Williams grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked three shots.
XULA will play Mobile at 6 p.m. Monday in the Convocation Center — the Gold Nuggets' final game before semester exams.
BOX SCORE
NOTES: XULA limited Southeastern to its fewest points in a home game since a 60-36 loss to McNeese on Jan. 18, 2012 . . . It was the Gold Nuggets' first road win against an NCAA Division I opponent since a 54-53 decision at Northwestern State on Nov. 16, 2007 . . . The winning margin was XULA's largest against a DI opponent since a 75-60 victory at Nicholls on Dec. 13, 2004 . . . Browder has nine victories against DI teams in his 20 seasons as head coach.
Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications
Department of Athletics & Recreation
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Miami RedHawks (3-4) vs. Wilberforce Bulldogs (3-6)
Game 8: Saturday, December 1 • 2 p.m.
Millett Hall (6,400) • Oxford, Ohio
Series vs. Wilberforce/ Streak: First Meeting
Last Meeting: N/A
TV: ESPN3 • Steve Baker (PxP) Randy Hollowell (Color)
Radio: Miami IMG Sports Network • Terry Bridge (PxP) John McKenna (Color)
Miami IMG Sports Network Affiliates: WMOH 1450 Hamilton; WFMG 101.3 Richmond; WONE 980 Dayton
LYNCHBURG, Virginia -- The Flames will honor 17 players on Senior Day this Saturday when they welcome in-state foe Norfolk State to Williams Stadium for Liberty's 2018 season finale. The Norfolk State football team (4-6) concludes its 2018 season with a rare December non-conference game.
THE SERIES
• Record: Liberty leads 4-2
• Last Meeting: 9-6-14 (Liberty 17-0)
• First Meeting: 11-8-97 (Liberty 17-6)
• The game was originally scheduled for Sept. 15, but was postponed due to Hurricane Florence.
• The Spartans have lost four of their last five following a 44-27 setback against Morgan State on Nov. 17 in their most recent outing.
• Liberty, in its first full season as a Division I FBS independent, is looking to even its record at 6-6.
NSU BY THE NUMBERS
• 5 - Number of Spartans who earned All-MEAC postseason honors.
• 7 - Number of seniors who will be playing their last game at NSU this week.
• 297 - Combined receiving yards for Isaiah Winstead (156) and Marcus Taylor (141) against Morgan State.
• 467 - Yards passing vs. Morgan State for QB Juwan Carter, the third-most in a game in NSU history.
A WIN OVER LIBERTY WOULD...
A win this week over Liberty would...
• Give the Spartans their first-ever win over an FBS team (NSU is 0-10 all-time in such games entering this week).
• Give the Spartans their fifth win of the season, the program's most wins on the field since 2011 (9-3).
• Live Audio (LFSN Radio)
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS COMUNICATIONS
