Nuggets fall at Stillman, 74-65

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Ki’Onna Likely’s seventh double-double of the season — 24 points and 16 rebounds — led Stillman to a 74-65 women’s basketball victory Saturday against Xavier University of Louisiana.

It was the final out-of-town game of the regular season for the Gold Nuggets (8-11), who will play Edward Waters at 5:30 p.m. Monday at XULA’s Convocation Center.

DeDe Martinez and Taylor Jacob scored 11 points apiece for XULA. Jacob, a freshman, made three 3-pointers. Gina Smith had four steals to tie her career high.

Likely, a 5-foot-8 senior guard, also had six assists. Her basket with 57 seconds remaining in the third quarter put Stillman ahead to stay, 48-46.

The Gold Nuggets led for 13 seconds after Jacob’s 3-pointer at 1:57 of the third quarter gave them their only lead, 44-43.

The Lady Tigers (12-8) scored 19 points in the final 6 1/2 minutes to pull away and win their seventh in a row. Stillman, a second-year NAIA member, will join the Southern States Athletic Conference next season.

Stillman had three other double-figure scorers: O’Nesha Hunt with 14 points, Ashley World with 12 and Morgan Collins with 10.

Stillman outscored XULA in 3-of-4 quarters and led 31-26 at halftime.