image via Yamlak Tsega
Courtesy of XULA Athletics
63
DILLARD
66
Winner XULA
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| DILLARD | 19 | 44 | 63 |
| XULA | 29 | 37 | 66 |
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana men’s basketball gained a season split with Dillard by winning 66-63 Tuesday in the Crosstown Classic at XULA’s Convocation Center.
A season-high crowd of 2,312 watched the Gold Rush (20-7) build an 18-point lead through 31 1/2 minutes, then withstand a Bleu Devil comeback.
Lance Williams had 15 points, six rebounds and seven assists for XULA, Jathen Ross scored 13, and Omarion Bodrick had 10 points and three blocked shots. Corey Dunning had eight rebounds and four blocks.
Seviuhn Turner’s 1-of-2 free throws gave XULA a 58-40 lead with 8:38 remaining, but Dillard’s Tony Cargo scored 11 points thereafter, including a 3-pointer with 33 seconds remaining that cut the Gold Rush lead to 63-61. XULA then scored on its final two possessions — a Bodrick layup and J’Quan Ewing 1-of-2 free throws made it 66-61 — and Dillard beat the buzzer with a dunk.
Cargo scored 25 points for Dillard (17-9). and Armond Williams and Justin Warren scored 11 apiece.
XULA lost its opener 76-71 Nov. 1 at Dillard. The Gold Rush won 10 of the last 12 meetings and lead 95-60 in the series, which began in 1948.
It’s the fourth consecutive season that the Gold Rush reached 20 victories. XULA’s 37 seasons of 20-or-more victories are the most in the history of Louisiana men’s college basketball. For Alfred Williams, it’s his 15th 20-win season at XULA — three as a player, six as an assistant coach and six as head coach. This is Williams’ ninth season leading the Gold Rush.
Dunning, Ewing, Ross, Williams, Justice Kelly, Tracy Steele and James Weathers were honored before tip-off in a ceremony for seniors and fifth-year players.
XULA will close its regular season in a 7 p.m. Thursday game at city rival SUNO, then compete Feb. 27 as the No. 2 seed in the quarterfinals of the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament at Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria, La.
