Gold Nuggets close regular season with 7th straight GCAC victory

NEW ORLEANS — Sophomore point guard Maya Trench had 22 points, seven rebounds and seven assists Wednesday to lead Xavier University of Louisiana to a 71-52 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women’s basketball against Talladega.

The Gold Nuggets (14-11, 7-5) closed the regular season with seven straight GCAC victories and six straight overall.

XULA won every quarter and shot 56 percent from the floor in the second half.

Essence Wells scored 10 points for XULA. The Nuggets’ two seniors, Ireyon Keith and Angelle Simon, combined for 14 points — eight by Keith and six by Simon. They were honored in a ceremony after the game.

Deshanna Cook scored 12 points and Courtnee Williams eight for the Lady Tornadoes (17-13, 7-5).

XULA won the tiebreaker with Talladega for the No. 3 seed in the GCAC Tournament. The Nuggets will play No. 6 seed Tougaloo Friday at SUNO’s The Castle. All women’s and men’s semifinals will be this weekend at XULA’s Convocation Center.