NEW ORLEANS — Louvinia Hayes scored 13 of her season-high 18 points in the second half Saturday to lead Southern University of New Orleans to a 55-46 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory over Xavier University of Louisiana.
     It was the first game in SUNO's home gymnasium, The Castle, since February 2005. The facility was damaged during Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.
     Britney Williams added 13 points for the Lady Knights (6-5 overall, 1-3 GCAC), who led 26-19 at halftime and withstood a Xavier rally which three times cut the margin to one point.
     Brittney Powell scored 13 points and was the only double-figure scorer for Xavier (11-5, 2-2). Johnna Williams grabbed a season-high 12 rebounds and blocked three shots.
     SUNO ended a three-game losing streak and snapped Xavier's two-game winning streak. The Lady Knights limited the Gold Nuggets to a season-low 30.6 percent from the floor, no 3-pointers in six attempts and their fewest points of the season. It was the fourth time this season SUNO allowed less than 50 points.
     SUNO shot 31.9 from the floor and outscored Xavier 21-16 in free throws. Hayes was 12-of-13 from the line and made all seven attempts in the second half.
     Both teams will play GCAC home games at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Xavier will meet William Carey, and SUNO will play Spring Hill.