DALLAS — Xavier University of Louisiana opened a four-game men's basketball trip Thursday with a 50-47 loss to Paul Quinn.
     Freshmen Donovan Armstrong and Mike Williams, playing in their home state, scored seven points apiece to lead the Gold Rush (3-8). Chris Ward grabbed a game- and career-high 10 rebounds, and Wesley Pluviose-Philip had a season-best nine rebounds.
     Jalen Johnson scored 11 points for the Tigers (2-12), and SirPatrick Reynolds and Jesse Williams scored 10 apiece. Williams grabbed nine rebounds.
     XULA led 21-20 at halftime. There were 10 ties and 14 lead changes. XULA missed a 3-pointer on its final possession.
     Both defenses were effective. Paul Quinn shot 28.1 percent from the floor — the lowest by a XULA opponent this season — but the Tigers also allowed their fewest points in a game in the last 14 seasons.
     XULA shot 37.8 percent from the floor and a season-low 47.6 percent (10-of-21) from the line. The Gold Rush committed 26 turnovers, and XULA's minus-17 turnover margin was its widest since February 2011.
     Paul Quinn beat XULA for the first time in their last 13 meetings. The Gold Rush lead the series 17-4, including a 92-73 victory Dec. 1 at XULA.
     XULA will play its next three games in Florida. The Gold Rush will play Barry — ranked 10th and 12th in the NCAA Division II polls — at 4 p.m. EST Saturday. Then the Rush will play a pair of games in Keiser's Chuck Daly Classic: 5 p.m. Monday against Concordia (Canada) and 7 p.m. Tuesday against Keiser, No. 23 in NAIA Division II. The next XULA home game will start at 5 p.m. Jan. 7 against Tougaloo.