LANGSTON, Okla. — Latesha Colton's 12 points and 14 rebounds led NAIA No. 14 Langston to a 53-44 women's basketball victory Thursday against Xavier University of Louisiana at C.F. Gayles Fieldhouse.
     It was the season opener for both and a matchup of teams which reached the NAIA Division I National Tournament this past season.
     Shayla Boyd, in her first collegiate game, led Xavier with 12 points, and teammate Erica Turnbull had 11 points and nine rebounds. Jarryn Cleaves, the Gold Nuggets' three-time all-conference guard, had foul trouble and scored six points.
     Langston led 34-26 at halftime. Xavier closed the gap to 36-35 but didn't take the lead.
     Both teams shot slightly less than 30 percent from the floor. Langston outrebounded Xavier 47-39 and committed 19 turnovers, three fewer than the Nuggets.
     Xavier will play its home opener at 3 p.m. Saturday against Texas College at The Barn.