Hill keeps Gold Nuggets atop GCAC mountain

NEW ORLEANS — Jas Hill scored 27 points Saturday to lead Xavier University of Louisiana to a 66-54 women’s basketball victory against Dillard in the Crosstown Classic at XULA’s Convocation Center.

The Gold Nuggets (16-5, 6-0) took sole possession of first place in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Dillard (14-7, 6-1) dropped into a second-place tie with Talladega.

Hill was 9-of-13 from the floor and had five rebounds and four steals in 25 minutes. She scored 15 points in the second half.

XULA trailed 17-12 after one quarter but outscored the Lady Bleu Devils in each of the last three quarters. XULA led 30-28 at halftime and took the lead for good, 43-40, on a Jalyn Hodge 3-pointer at 2:08 of the third period.

Two Hill free throws in the final minute gave the Gold Nuggets their largest lead, 66-50.

Joi Simmons had eight points, seven rebounds and two steals for XULA. Nahrie Pierce had seven points and nine rebounds. Maya Trench grabbed seven rebounds.

Adriiana Jackson scored 13 points and Alyssa Washington 11 for Dillard.

XULA outshot Dillard 43.1 to 31 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Lady Bleu Devils 45-31.

The victory assured XULA of finishing the year with a winning record for the 18th consecutive season. The Gold Nuggets will visit GCAC and city rival SUNO at 5:30 p.m. Monday.