NEW ORLEANS — Erica Turnbull scored 14 of her career-high 20 points in the second half Monday to lead NAIA No. 23 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 61-44 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against Tougaloo at The Barn.
     The Gold Nuggets (18-6 overall, 10-1 GCAC) earned their third consecutive victory and 10th in their last 11 games. They've won 46 of their last 47 games at The Barn.
     Turnbull also grabbed eight rebounds and tied a school record by making 14 free throws. She equaled the mark set by Antasha Jones against Salem International in the 1995 NAIA National Tournament.
     Jarryn Cleaves scored 12 points, all on first-half 3-pointers, for the Nuggets. Rynika Hebert had nine points and 10 rebounds.
     Jasmine Lindsay, with 13 points, was the only double-figure scorer for Tougaloo (6-14, 2-9). Erica McElroy and Charity Barnes each grabbed 10 rebounds for the Lady Bulldogs.
     Xavier trailed 19-15 through 12 minutes before taking control with a 23-2 run. The Nuggets led 38-25 at halftime and took their biggest lead, 54-36, on Brittney Abernathy's basket with 9:10 remaining.
     The Nuggets outshot the Lady Bulldogs 32 to 25 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 48-42.
     Both teams will play GCAC opponents at 5:30 p.m. Thursday — Xavier on the road against No. 25 Mobile and Tougaloo at home against Loyola.