NATCHITOCHES, La. — Erica Turnbull had 15 points and a season-high 12 rebounds Friday to help Xavier University of Louisiana rally for a 54-53 women's basketball victory against Northwestern State at Prather Coliseum.
     The victory was the fourth in a row for the Gold Nuggets (4-1), who trailed 40-27 with 13 minutes remaining and 46-37 with nine minutes remaining. It was their first victory against an NCAA Division I opponent since the 2004-05 season.
     LaTashia Wise had 12 points, and Tiffany Norris had 10 points and nine rebounds for Xavier. The Nuggets gained 36 turnovers, including 22 steals and a career-best seven by Alissa Thompson.
     Brooke Shepherd scored 18 points for Northwestern State (2-1), and Ashli Barnum had 11 points and 11 rebounds.
     Xavier's defense produced four consecutive turnovers late in the game to spark the comeback. Shayla Boyd's steal and layup with 2:56 remaining put the Nuggets ahead to stay at 52-51, then Turnbull followed with a basket 45 seconds later for Xavier's final points.
     The Lady Demons' Renotta Edwards missed a 3-pointer from approximately 30 feet as time expired.
     Northwestern State outshot Xavier 42 to 31 percent from the floor, but the Nuggets had advantages of 29-18 in points off turnovers and 16-7 in second chance points.
     Xavier will stay on the road and play Christian Brothers at 5 p.m. Saturday in Memphis, Tenn. It will be a homecoming for two Xavier guards, senior Jarryn Cleaves and walk-on freshman Ashley McGill.