Gold Rush defeat SUNO for third consecutive victory

NEW ORLEANS — Virgil Davison and Jalen David scored 20 points apiece Monday as NAIA No. 22 Xavier University of Louisiana rolled to a 90-72 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men’s basketball victory against SUNO at the Convocation Center.

The Gold Rush (17-6, 4-2 GCAC) scored 54 points after trailing 39-36 at halftime. Davison scored all his points in the second half, including six 3-pointers in nine attempts.

XULA has won three straight and 11 of its last 13 games. The Knights (3-12, 1-5) has lost four straight and eight of its last nine games.

Rayshawn Mart scored 13 points for XULA, and Jeff Dixon had 10 points, eight assists and no turnovers.

SUNO’s George Brock, who entered with an NAIA-leading 27.1 points per game, scored 19 before leaving with an injury with 7:41 remaining. Andre Funches scored 13 points, and Teandre Jones had 10 points and eight rebounds.

XULA outshot SUNO 54 to 39.3 percent from the floor. The Gold Rush made 12 3-pointers, eight in the second half.