SHREVEPORT, La. — Junior center Keldra Hall had 17 points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes Monday to lead NAIA No. 22 Xavier University of Louisiana in a 69-56 women's basketball victory against LSU-Shreveport.
     The Gold Nuggets (2-0) have won 23 of their last 24 games, including 10 straight on opponents' courts.
     Jasmine Grant, playing in her hometown, added 14 points for Xavier, and Christina Warren was a career-best 3-of-3 from 3-point range in her second consecutive 12-point performance and first start for Xavier in two seasons.
     Xavier, playing the first of three consecutive road games, never trailed after the fourth minute and led 35-31 at halftime. Hall, in her second game with Xavier after transferring from Angelina College, and Warren scored eight points apiece in the first half.
     Sharday Cotton led LSUS (1-2) with 17 points and 11 rebounds, and reserve Najarae WIley scored 11. The Lady Pilots dropped their second in a row at home.
     Both teams shot 42 percent from the floor. Xavier had a 37-33 rebound advantage and collected 20 steals — four apiece by point guards Marchelle Jones and Brandi Young — to finish plus-7 in turnover margin (28-21).
     The game was a rematch of last season's Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament championship game, which Xavier won 56-51 at The Barn. LSUS is a Red River Athletic Conference member this season. The Nuggets and Lady Pilots will meet again Nov. 29 at Xavier.
     Xavier will play NCAA Division II opponent LeMoyne-Owen at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Memphis, Tenn.