Gold Rush defeat Dillard before record crowd of 3,348

NEW ORLEANS — William Loyd and Jeff Dixon led a second-half rally Saturday that gave Xavier University of Louisiana an 83-76 men’s basketball victory against Dillard in the Crosstown Classic.

A Convocation Center-record crowd of 3,348 watched the Gold Rush (12-9, 3-3 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) defeat the Bleu Devils (11-7, 4-2) for the first time in eight games.

Loyd scored 22 points and was 8-of-11 from the floor. Dixon produced 16 points, five rebounds and seven assists.

XULA trailed 26-15 in the 12th minute but cut Dillard’s lead to 36-35 by halftime. In the second half Loyd scored 16 points, and Dixon had 11 points and five assists.

Dixon’s basket with 8:45 remaining put the Gold Rush ahead to stay, 56-55. XULA led by four points or more for the final 5:34.

Anfernee King scored a career-best 13 points for XULA — he was 5-of-7 from the floor — and Galen Smith scored 11.

Rick Curry produced 26 points and seven rebounds for the Bleu Devils. Xavian Mckay had 14 points and six assists, and Jeron Rogers had 12 points and six rebounds.

XULA outshot Dillard 56.4 to 53.8 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Bleu Devils 33-24. In the second half XULA shot 61.3 percent from the floor (19-of-31) and committed four turnovers.

It was the 142nd meeting in a series that began in 1948. The Gold Rush lead the series 85-57. XULA will visit Dillard Feb. 16.

Next for XULA will be a visit to GCAC and city rival SUNO at 7:30 p.m. Monday — the first of four consecutive road games.