Gold Nuggets rout Texas A&M-Texarkana in LSUS Classic

SHREVEPORT, La. — Essence Wells scored 12 points and Nina German 10 Friday to lead Xavier University of Louisiana to a 77-38 women’s basketball victory against Texas A&M-Texarkana in the opening game of the LSUS Classic.

The Gold Nuggets (6-3) will play LSUS at 4 p.m. Saturday in the final game of this four-team event.

Wells scored in double figures for the fourth consecutive game and the sixth time this season. She also had three assists, a block and a career-high-tying four steals. German, a sophomore who joined the team last season as a walk-on, reached double figures in back-to-back games for the first time at XULA, and she grabbed a game-high six rebounds.

Thirteen from XULA scored, including Gina Smith with nine points and Nahrie Pierce with eight, both season highs. Maya Trench had four assists to climb to 399 in four seasons.

“We played hard, and we played together,” XULA head coach Bo Browder said. “Essence Wells showed great leadership after enduring a tough loss at home Wednesday.”

Wells, Caprice Taylor and Anica Gacevic made two 3-pointers apiece.

Haley Stilson scored nine points for the Eagles (1-5), who are in their first season of varsity women’s basketball.

XULA outshot TAMUT 45.3 to 18.6 from the floor — 55.2 to 12.9 percent in the second half — and outrebounded the Eagles 49-36. The Gold Nuggets were plus-13 in turnovers, committing 13 and gaining 26. XULA blocked a season-high six shots, including Kira Mercado with two.

XULA allowed its fewest points on the road since a 67-38 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference victory at Tougaloo on Feb. 16, 2015.