NEW ORLEANS — Jarryn Cleaves had 21 points and five assists Sunday to lead Xavier University of Louisiana to an 81-72 women's basketball victory over Houston Baptist at The Barn.
     It was the first time that Xavier beat HBU. The Lady Huskies won the three previous meetings by an average of 11 points.
     Erica Turnbull added 15 points, and Danielle Jones scored a career-high 12 for the Gold Nuggets (8-2), who have won four straight and are 7-0 at home this season. LaTashia Wise scored 10 points and tied career highs with eight rebounds and five assists.
     Sharde' Little led Houston Baptist (4-3) with a season-high 13 points. Jasmin Moore and Jelela Simpson scored 12 points apiece, and Megan Morris had 11. Fallon Thomas had nine points, seven rebounds, seven assists and six steals.
     Xavier outscored the Lady Huskies 14-1 in the first 4:24, then withstood an HBU rally which produced 12 lead changes. Turnbull's basket with 10:10 remaining gave Xavier the lead for good at 61-59, and the Nuggets outscored HBU 12-3 in the final five minutes.
     Xavier outshot the Lady Huskies 50 to 45 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 42-27. Turnbull grabbed eight rebounds, and Jones had seven. Xavier is the first HBU opponent this season to shoot 50 percent.
     The Nuggets have won 57 of their last 59 games at The Barn, but they won't play their next game there until Jan. 10. After a break for semester exams, Xavier will play again Dec. 18 against Sterling in the Cruzin Classic at Coral Springs, Fla.