Xavier opens GCAC men’s hoops schedule with 78-51 victory at Tougaloo

TALLADEGA, Ala. — Seniors Rayshawn Mart and Makye Richard scored 20 points apiece Monday to lead NAIA No. 23 Xavier University of Louisiana in a 78-51 men’s basketball victory against Tougaloo.

It was the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener for both teams. Xavier is 4-1 overall, and it was the season opener for Tougaloo.

Xavier scored the first 11 points and led wire-to-wire. It was 34-16 at halftime.

Mart also produced game-highs of nine rebounds and four steals. Richard grabbed seven rebounds and blocked two shots.

Xavier’s other double-figure scorer was TJ Jones with 13 points. Jordan Temple’s 3-pointer with 6:35 remaining gave XULA its largest lead, 70-36.

Jaylen Lester scored 15 points and Trajan Fielder 11 for Tougaloo, the runner-up to XULA in the 2019-20 GCAC regular season standings and tournament.

All seven GCAC men’s teams are playing league games through Thursday at Talladega’s first-year facility, the Dr. Billy C. Hawkins Student Activity Center. XULA’s other games this week will start 2:30 p.m. Tuesday against Rust and noon Wednesday against Philander Smith.