LAS VEGAS — Carla Robinson scored 20 points, including five 3-point field goals, and had five steals Friday to lead the Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball team to a season-opening 79-72 overtime victory against Westmont in the Robert Morris Las Vegas Classic.
     Jarryn Cleaves added 15 points and Tiffany Norris 14 for the Gold Nuggets, who played their first regular-season game since the 2004-05 season. Xavier did not field teams in 2005-06 because of the effects of Hurricane Katrina.
     Ali Mooty had 23 points and 13 rebounds for Westmont (0-1), and Stephanie Anderson scored 20.
     The Nuggets led by 15 points in the first half but trailed 64-61 in the final minute of regulation. Erica Turnbull's inside basket cut the Westmont lead to 64-63, then Robinson stole the inbounds pass and was fouled with four seconds remaining. Robinson missed the first free throw but made the second to tie the score and force overtime.
     "We had a tough time handling the altitude in Las Vegas," Xavier Coach Robert "Bo" Browder said. "Our players could only go about four minutes at a time."
     Sophomore guard Kojavona Hamilton, the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year in 2004-05, was injured early in the second half and did not return. Browder said Hamilton will miss the Nuggets' noon game Saturday against Harris-Stowe.
     Xavier led 37-30 at halftime and outscored the Warriors 15-8 in overtime.
     Harris-Stowe snapped a 24-game losing streak with a 65-57 victory against Robert Morris in the other Friday game.