XULA enjoys wins in RRAC basketball openers vs. LCU

Men’s Basketball
Xavier Reaves scored a season-high 19 points Monday to lead NAIA No. 25 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 79-49 men’s basketball victory against Louisiana Christian in the Red River Athletic Conference opener for both teams at XULA’s Convocation Center.

Reaves was 9-of-11 from the floor to help the Gold Rush (5-2) snap a two-game losing streak. TJ Jones scored 11 points for XULA, and Cory Wells had 10 points, nine rebounds, four blocks, three assists and two steals.

Ferontay Banks and Bailey Hardy scored 12 points apiece for the Wildcats (4-4).

XULA outshot the Wildcats 60.8 to 27.9 percent from the floor and produced the second-largest winning margin in the 63-game history of this series, which began in 1971.

Women’s Basketball
Xavier University of Louisiana pulled away in the second half Monday for a 67-57 women’s basketball victory against Louisiana Christian in the Red River Athletic Conference opener for both teams at XULA’s Convocation Center.

Shylia McGee scored 14 points, Nia Bishop 12 and Ashanti LaVergne 10 for the Gold Nuggets (6-1), who earned their fifth consecutive victory. McGee led the Gold Nuggets with eight rebounds and five assists, and she and teammate Jaleah Lafargue had four steals apiece.

XULA outscored the Wildcats 45-33 in the second half after trailing 24-22 at halftime.

Miya McKinney had 12 points and nine rebounds for Louisiana Christian (2-4).