NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana scored the final eight points Monday to rally for a 51-44 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against Tougaloo at The Barn.
     The Gold Nuggets (19-5, 12-0), ranked 21st in NAIA Division I, extended their win streak to 12 and snapped the three-game win streak of the Lady Bulldogs (11-12, 7-5).
     Tougaloo led 44-43 when Jerrica Williams made 1-of-2 free throws with 2:48 remaining, then committed five turnovers and didn't attempt another shot until the final 10 seconds.
     Brittany Powell's 3-point play with 1:56 remaining put XULA ahead to stay at 46-44. LaTashia Wise's basket at 1:03 made it a two-possession game thereafter.
     Powell had 12 points and nine rebounds, and teammates Jasmine Grant and Christina Warren scored 10 points apiece. Brandi Young had four assists, and Jazmoné Kelly had seven of the Gold Nuggets' 19 steals.
     Damara Bolton, with 10 points, was the lone double-figure scorer for Tougaloo. The Lady Bulldogs won the board 50-32 — Erica Grayson grabbed 16 rebounds, and Jerrica Williams had 11.
     Both teams shot 29 percent from the floor. The Gold Nuggets committed 25 turnovers but gained 37.
     XULA led 21-17 at halftime despite shooting 19.4 percent from the floor.
     Both teams will play GCAC games at 5:30 p.m. Thursday — XULA will visit Belhaven (Jackson, Miss.), and Tougaloo will play at home against Spring Hill.