Talladega, Alabama -- The Talladega men's basketball team was back in action for another GCAC matchup Monday night. They hosted the #6 nationally ranked Tougaloo College.
Talladega entered play 18-6 overall and 6-3 in conference. Tougaloo came into play 19-3 overall and 8-1 in conference.
Tougaloo grabbed an early 11-7 lead over Talladega just three minutes into the game.
With ten minutes remaining in the first half the Tornadoes were still trailing Tougaloo by a score of 27-23.
Talladega tied the game at 37 with five minutes remaining in the half courtesy of Da'Jon Streeter free throws.
Talladega reclaimed a slim lead over the Bulldogs and took that into halftime, leading Tougaloo 51-50.
TJ Thomas was leading all Talladega scorers with 14 points. Jarin Hilson and Charles Shaw each recorded four assists in the half.
Talladega grabbed the lead early in the second half as they held a 57-53 lead over Tougaloo just two minutes into the half.
The game remained tight with ten minutes remaining in play with Talladega holding the slight 66-65 lead.
The Tornadoes would then surge ahead and increase their lead to 12 with three minutes remaining in play, now up 85-73.
The Tornadoes would go on to win this one by a score of 95-80.
"I'm really proud of how hard our guys played," said Head Coach Chris Wright. "We knew that we beat ourselves at their place and were looking forward to getting another shot at them."
"Tougaloo jumped on us early and took a ten point lead and then I thought we dominated the game from there," ended Coach Wright. "We held them to 27 percent shooting in the second half and just imposed our will on the glass. This was a big win for us."
The win improves Talladega's overall record to 19-6 overall and 7-3 in conference.
Talladega was led this afternoon by Thomas who finished with 20 points, 15 rebounds, and an assist. Hilson finished with 18 points and Dondre Alexander had another double-double with 14 points and ten rebounds. Shaw also finished with 14 points.
The Tornadoes will return to action Monday when they travel to Xavier. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM.
Demond Walker, Assistant Athletic Director
Sports Information/Compliance
JACKSONVILLE, Florida — Xavier University of Louisiana produced a season-high-tying five double-figure scorers Monday in a 73-59 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Edward Waters.
The Gold Rush (14-11, 5-4) snapped a two-game losing streak. The Tigers (8-12, 3-6), have lost 5-of-6.
Ed Carter scored 18 points, Jeff Dixon 14, Galen Smith12, William Loyd 11 and Rayshawn Mart 10 for XULA. Dennis Miles scored 26 points and Arcuas McGhee 12 for Edward Waters, and both grabbed nine rebounds.
Carter, in his highest scoring game since Nov. 10, was 6-of-9 from the floor, 3-of-5 on 3-pointers and 3-of-3 from the line in 29 minutes. Dixon also was 6-of-9 from the floor and committed no turnovers in 27 1/2 minutes.
Smith grabbed seven rebounds and had three assists. Loyd had four assists to lead the Rush and tie his season high. He grabbed six rebounds and produced a game-high three steals. Mart had five rebounds, three assists, a block and two steals.
Smith's 3-pointer in the sixth minute made it 6-4 and put XULA ahead to stay. The Gold Rush led 30-23 at halftime, and the final margin was the game's largest.
XULA committed six turnovers, its fewest in a game since producing the same number in a 69-60 GCAC victory at Mobile on Feb. 21, 2009.
XULA will play host to Talladega in a GCAC game at 7:30 p.m. next Monday in the Convocation Center.
BOX SCORE
Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications
Department of Athletics & Recreation
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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JACKSONVILLE, Florida — Jas Hill scored 26 points and Essence Wells 17 to lead Xavier University of Louisiana in a 67-53 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against Edward Waters.
The Gold Nuggets (18-6, 8-1) remained a half-game behind GCAC leader Talladega and won for the fifth time in six conference road games. A year ago XULA was 1-5 on the road in the GCAC.
Hill made 11-of-22 field goals in her fifth 20-point performance of the season and the third in her last five games. Wells made 7-of-7 free throws and scored in double figures for the second consecutive game.
No one else scored more than five points for XULA. Mikayla Bates grabbed eight rebounds, and Kyla Duncan blocked two shots.
La'Quanza Glover had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Lady Tigers (13-10, 4-5). Jermisha Collins scored 12 points, and Mia Leite had 10.
Edward Waters scored the first six points, then XULA scored the next 12 and didn't relinquish the lead. A 27-8 second quarter gave the Gold Nuggets a 39-18 halftime advantage.
"We played great defense and shared the basketball," XULA coach Bo Browder said of the second quarter.
XULA outshot Edward Waters 41.4 to 35.1 percent from the floor.
XULA will play NAIA No. 13 Talladega at 5:30 p.m. next Monday at XULA's Convocation Center. Talladega defeated the Gold Nuggets 73-63 Saturday.
BOX SCORE
Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications
Department of Athletics & Recreation
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XULAgold.com
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold
Talladega, Alabama -- The Talladega men's basketball team was back in action for another GCAC matchup Monday night. They hosted the #6 nationally ranked Tougaloo College.
