NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana men’s basketball concluded a challenging homestand — four games in six days — with a 70-61 victory Sunday against Arkansas Baptist.
The Gold Rush — 10-2 and ranked 15th in the NAIA — reached double-digit victories for the 32nd consecutive season in a nearly wire-to-wire decision against the Buffaloes (3-21), who were admitted to the NAIA in May. XULA won three times in the homestand.
Rayshawn Mart scored 19 points, Makye Richard 11 and Nigel Allen 10 for XULA. Corey Dunning grabbed a game-high nine rebounds for the second consecutive day, TJ Jones overcame seven turnovers to produce a season-high nine assists, and Cameron Wells had four steals and two blocks.
G’Quavious Lennox scored 18 points and Kwashek Breeden 12 for Arkansas Baptist, and Gabriel Johnson and Isayah West scored 10 apiece.
XULA took the lead for good in the third minute and led 40-31 at halftime. It was 60-46 after Mart’s 3-pointer with 5:44 remaining, then the Buffaloes rallied and made it 62-57 on Breeden’s basket at 2:43. But Arkansas Baptist — a 72-67 winner Saturday at XULA city rival Dillard — got no closer.
XULA, which entered making 58.1 percent of its free throws this season, gave a stellar performance against the Buffaloes, making 18 of 23 for 78.3 percent. The free throws made and the percentage were season highs. Richard made 7-of-8 free throws, and Cory Wells made all four of his.
Next for XULA will be a Red River Athletic Conference road game against Texas A&M-Texarkana at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The next home game will start at 4 p.m. Saturday against RRAC opponent Wiley.
Yamlak Tsega/XULA Athletics
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