Gold Nuggets defeat OLLU 49-40

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana women’s basketball relied on some longtime Bo Browder favorites — defense and rebounding — and did both well enough Thursday to earn a 49-40 Red River Athletic Conference victory against Our Lady of the Lake.

The Gold Nuggets (13-9 overall, 7-7 RRAC) snapped a two-game losing streak. They’ll play host to RRAC opponent Huston-Tillotson at 2 p.m. Saturday.

It was the third consecutive victory in which XULA allowed 41-or-fewer points. The Gold Nuggets outrebounded the Saints 41-30 and limited them to 32 percent from the floor.

“We have to focus on being great on defense and rebounding,” said Browder, in his 24th season as XULA’s head coach. “When we do, we have a chance to win.”

Shylia McGee had 11 points, nine rebounds and two steals for XULA, and Abryhia Irons had 10 points, five rebounds and zero turnovers. Nia Bishop scored nine points and had five assists and five steals.

Ja’Kiylah Esco, in her first XULA start, grabbed a season-high seven rebounds.

Cormia Lewis, with 13 points, was the only double-figure scorer for OLLU (13-9, 10-5). Teammate Natalia Trevino entered the game No. 1 in the RRAC with 42.3 percent on 3-pointers and No. 2 with 43 made 3-pointers, but the Gold Nuggets limited her to 0-of-2 on treys.

XULA avoided back-to-back losses at home, which hasn’t happened since the 2019-20 season.

The teams maintained their positions in the RRAC — seventh place for XULA, third place for OLLU — and split their two-game regular-season series.