Box Score SHREVEPORT, La. — Derrick Parker had 31 points and 11 rebounds Thursday, and he blocked
Kevin Miller's 3-point attempt at the buzzer to preserve LSU-Shreveport's 79-77 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory over Xavier University of Louisiana.
Cordell Hadnot had career-highs of 23 points and 12 rebounds for Xavier (9-4), and
Devin Andrew and
Jamaan Kenner scored 16 points apiece.
Parker blocked Miller's 3-pointer after the Pilots made a free throw, then missed the second on its final possession with six seconds remaining.
LSUS, ranked sixth in NAIA Division I, is 12-1. It was the GCAC opener for both teams.
Kenner's 3-pointer at 12:43 of the first half gave the Gold Rush a 20-13 advantage, but the Pilots rallied to lead 41-35 at halftime.
Andrew, Kenner and
Ryan DeRousselle all fouled out for Xavier, which committed a season-high 34 fouls. LSUS took advantage by making 37-of-50 free throws.
Greg Shyne added 15 points and Brance Davenport 10 for the Pilots, the four-time defending GCAC Tournament champion.
LSUS outshot Xavier 48 to 40 percent from the floor, but the Gold Rush had a 6-2 advantage in 3-pointers made. Xavier made 29-of-38 free throws and was 24-of-29 in the second half.
Xavier suffered its second straight loss and is 0-3 on opponents' courts this season. The Gold Rush will remain on the road and play defending GCAC regular-season champion Tougaloo at 7 p.m. Saturday.