MIAMI SHORES, Fla. — Patrice Hawkins had career highs of 17 points and 13 rebounds Wednesday, and LaTashia Wise had career highs of 14 points and seven assists to lead Xavier University of Louisiana to a 79-47 women's basketball victory over Central Methodist in the Cruzin Classic.
     Tiffany Norris had season highs of 13 points and 10 rebounds — her second career double-double — and Jarryn Cleaves scored 10 points for the Gold Nuggets (10-2), who won both their games in this event and their sixth straight overall. Xavier is ranked 21st in NAIA Division I.
     Stephanie Todd and Holly Wade scored 11 points apiece for Central Methodist (3-9), which was 0-2 in the event and has a four-game losing streak. Megan Hirsch scored 10 points.
     Wise — who had a career-high 10 rebounds Tuesday in a victory over Sterling — scored 12 points to help Xavier build a 37-28 halftime lead. Hawkins scored 11 second-half points, including the final three of a 13-5 run which gave Xavier a 50-33 lead with 15:21 remaining. The Nuggets' biggest lead was 33 points.
     Xavier outshot the Lady Eagles 47 to 33 percent from the floor, outrebounded them 50-28 and held them to their lowest point total of the season.
     Xavier's next game will be its Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener at Belhaven at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 3. The Nuggets' next home game will start at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 10 against SUNO at The Barn.