Gold Nuggets drop GCAC opener after leading by 11

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Xavier University of Louisiana built an 11-point lead late in the third quarter Saturday, but Philander Smith rallied for a 61-58 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women’s basketball victory.

The Gold Nuggets (9-7, 0-1 GCAC) will stay on the road and play Rust at 5:30 p.m. Monday in Holly Springs, Miss.

Gina Smith’s layup gave XULA a 47-36 lead at 3:39 of the third quarter, then the Lady Panthers (15-3, 2-0) closed the period with nine consecutive points. Philander Smith took the lead for good at 59-58 on a Ciara Pettis layup at 2:36 of the fourth quarter.

Maya Trench missed a 3-pointer on XULA’s final possession.

Essence Wells had 16 points, five assists and five steals for the Gold Nuggets, but she also committed seven of her team’s 24 turnovers. Kyla Duncan scored 13 points, and Abryhia Irons had 10 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

Terralyn Dominick scored 19 points, 10 in the fourth quarter, for Philander Smith.

“We put ourselves in position to win,” XULA head coach Bo Browder said, “but we gave it away. We turned the ball over too many times on the road.”

XULA’s Monday opponent, Rust, won 82-56 at home Saturday against Tougaloo in a GCAC opener. The Lady Bearcats are 10-2 overall and 5-0 this season at home.

“Monday is a must-win game if we’re going to contend,” said Browder, whose team won the GCAC regular-season championship a year ago.