NEW ORLEANS — Seniors Whitney Gathright and Donyeah Mayfield scored 18 points apiece Friday to help Xavier University of Louisiana earn a 68-57 women's basketball victory against Langston in the final game of the Xavier Classic.
     The Gold Nuggets (5-2), ranked 21st in NAIA Division I, finished 2-0 in the four-team, two-day event. The Lady Lions (4-2), ranked 18th, were 1-1.
     Gathright also had a career-high 11 assists, zero turnovers and a season-high-tying four steals. Her 3-pointer on the first possession of the fourth quarter put Xavier ahead to stay, 47-44.
     Langston's Alexus Johnson, the No. 3 scorer in NAIA Division I, had 21 points and 17 rebounds before fouling out with 5:08 remaining and her team trailing by seven. T'Keya Mason had 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
     It was the first time in Bo Browder's 17 seasons as head coach that the Nuggets defeated ranked opponents on consecutive days. Xavier beat No. 16 Shawnee State 74-70 Thursday. Xavier is 4-1 against ranked opponents this season.
     "Our team is working hard and continues to improve every time we step on the floor," Browder said. "I like our team's attitude toward defense this season."
     Xavier limited Langston to its fewest points this season. The Lady Lions entered the game averaging 78 points.
     The Gold Nuggets will play Mobile at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at XU's Convocation Center.