MOBILE, Ala. — Erica Turnbull scored 14 points Thursday, including two free throws in the final minute, to lead 23rd-ranked Xavier to a 46-42 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against Spring Hill.
     The Gold Nuggets (12-5 overall, 4-0 GCAC) earned their season-high fifth consecutive victory and took sole possession of first place in the conference.
     Turnbull's free throws broke a tie at 42. Alissa Thompson scored the final points on a pair of free throws with 5.5 seconds remaining. Thompson finished with 10 points and was 2 of 2 from 3-point range.
     Maria Rodriguez scored 11 points for Spring Hill (2-9, 2-1), and Catie Shields had 10 points and 10 rebounds for her second consecutive double-double.
     Xavier outshot Spring Hill 33 to 19 percent from the floor. The Lady Badgers outrebounded Xavier 38-33 and outscored the Nuggets 20-9 from the line. Both teams committed 18 turnovers.
     The Nuggets led 25-19 at halftime.
     The victory was Xavier's 51st in its last 56 GCAC games and its eighth in a row against Spring Hill.
     Xavier's next game will start at 1 p.m. Saturday at The Barn against GCAC opponent Loyola.