Tigers strike late against Gold Rush

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana turned a 17-point second-half deficit into a three-point lead, then Paul Quinn controlled the final two minutes to earn a 70-67 Red River Athletic Conference men’s basketball victory Saturday.

It was the regular-season finale for the Gold Rush (19-8 overall, 14-6). XULA tied for second in the RRAC with Texas A&M-Texarkana, a 73-61 loser at Louisiana Christian. XULA will play Friday in the quarterfinals of the RRAC Tournament at Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria, La.

The Gold Rush trailed 53-36 after the Tigers’ Steven Tynes made a 3-pointer with 12:31 remaining. But XULA rallied and twice led by three points in the final three minutes, the second time at 66-63 on Jathen Ross’ basket at 2:25.

Then the Tigers closed with a 7-1 run, and Tynes and Henry Hampton produced steals in the final 15 seconds. Norris Williams’ basket with 34 seconds remaining put Paul Quinn ahead to stay at 68-67.

Ross and Cameron Wells scored 10 points apiece for XULA, Xavier Reaves grabbed eight rebounds, and TJ Jones had five assists. The Gold Rush were trying to become the first XULA team in 41 years to close a regular season with seven consecutive victories.

XULA, struggling with free-throw accuracy for the second consecutive season, was 10-of-27 from the line, 8-of-19 in the second half.

Trevoin Shaw scored 17 points, and Hampton and Williams scored 16 apiece for Paul Quinn (14-7, 12-7), which won its fourth straight. The Tigers will play host to LSU-Alexandria in an RRAC makeup game Monday.

XULA honored seniors/fifth-year players Jones, Reaves, Wells, Brandon Green and Brian White in a pregame ceremony.