NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana got career highs of 25 points from Donyeah Mayfield and 21 from Joi Simmons in a 74-70 women's basketball victory against Shawnee State in Thursday's second game of the Xavier Classic.
     The Gold Nuggets (5-2), ranked 21st in NAIA Division I, rallied from 10 down in the final 11 1/2 minutes against the Bears (7-1), who are ranked 16th. It was Xavier's third victory of the season against a ranked opponent.
     Simmons, a freshman, scored a basket with 1:17 remaining to put Xavier ahead to stay, 71-70. Simmons blocked a shot on the next possession, and the Gold Nuggets controlled the rebound. Emoni Harvey's steal with seven seconds remaining and Whitney Gathright's ensuing two free throws clinched the decision.
     NAIA DI scoring leader Ali Zieverink was 7-of-7 from the floor in the second half and finished with 25 points for Shawnee State. Madison Ridout scored 15 points, and Abby Feuchter scored 10. The Bears led 36-33 at halftime after closing with a 7-0 run, and they took their biggest lead, 50-40, after a pair of Feuchter free throws at 1:49 of the third quarter.
     Simmons became the first XU freshman to reach 20 points in a game since Johnna Williams on Feb. 9, 2008.
     Shawnee State outshot Xavier 47.9 to 35.7 percent from the floor, but the Gold Nuggets were plus-14 in turnovers, a season best. They had a 23-13 advantage in points off of turnovers.
     Xavier will play another ranked NAIA opponent, No. 18 Langston, at 5 p,m. Friday in the final game of the tournament. Shawnee State will play Dillard at 1 p.m. Langston defeated Dillard 67-55 in the opening game Thursday. Xavier seeks victories on consecutive days against ranked opponents for the first time in Bo Browder's 17 seasons as head coach.