Gold Nuggets 5-0 in conference after winning at Huston-Tillotson

AUSTIN, Texas — Xavier University of Louisiana built a double-digit lead Thursday and held on for a 65-61 Red River Athletic Conference women’s basketball victory against Huston-Tillotson.

The victory snapped a two-game losing streak and gave the Gold Nuggets their first 5-0 start in conference since 2018-19, when they were 7-0 in the Gulf Coast Athletic. XULA is 8-2 overall.

Taylor Dewitt scored 18 points, Shylia McGee 11 and Jaleah LaFargue 10 for XULA. Zaria Harleaux grabbed a season-high-tying nine rebounds, and LaFargue had a season-high five assists for the second consecutive game.

Dyana Offutt scored 26 points, a season-high, and Ariana Smith 13 for Huston-Tillotson (5-4, 4-3).

XULA never trailed and held its largest lead, 38-23, after LaFargue’s 3-point play at 7:29 of the third quarter. But the Rams rallied and earned their only tie, at 56, on Smith’s basket with 1:45 remaining.

Jordyn Manning answered with layups on the next two XULA possessions. Summer Thomas committed a turnover for the Rams with 13 seconds remaining and HTU trailing 63-61, then LaFargue’s two free throws clinched with 10 seconds remaining.

XULA’s defense dominated the opening period, gaining eight turnovers and limiting the Rams to 1-of-16 from the floor. XULA led 12-4 through 10 minutes and allowed its fewest points ever in the first quarter of a conference game.

XULA shares first place in the RRAC with LSU-Shreveport, which defeated Southwest (N.M.) 73-41 on the road.

The Gold Nuggets will stay on the road and visit Our Lady of the Lake in a 2 p.m. Saturday RRAC game at San Antonio, Texas.

Red River Athletic Conference scores of Jan. 4, 2024 (home teams in bold)
XULA 65, Huston-Tillotson 61
LSU-Shreveport 73, Southwest (N.M.) 41
North American 69, Our Lady of the Lake 62
Jarvis Christian 59, Louisiana Christian 46
LSU-Alexandria 83, Texas College 74
Texas A&M-Texarkana 70, Paul Quinn 53

Red River Athletic Conference standings through Jan. 4, 2024
5-0 XULA
5-0 LSU-Shreveport
4-1 LSU-Alexandria
3-2 North American
3-2 Texas A&M-Texarkana
3-3 Huston-Tillotson
3-4 Jarvis Christian
2-3 Louisiana Christian
2-4 Our Lady of the Lake
2-4 Southwest (N.M.)
1-5 Paul Quinn
1-6 Texas College