NEW ORLEANS — Freshman Kiera Robinson scored 14 points Saturday to lead NAIA No. 21 Xavier University of Louisiana in a 59-49 women's basketball exhibition victory against LeMoyne-Owen.
     It was the home opener of the Gold Nuggets (2-0), who will resume their regular-season schedule at 7 p.m. Thursday at Louisiana-Lafayette.
     Robinson also grabbed six rebounds, blocked a shot and had three steals in 22 minutes. It was the second consecutive game that a freshman led Xavier in scoring.
     Trana Hopkins had 11 points, six rebounds, two assists and three steals for Xavier. Donyeah Mayfield had nine rebounds, six rebounds and three steals, and Whitney Gathright had eight points and seven assists.
     Another freshman, Mikayla Bates, led the Gold Nuggets with seven rebounds and four steals. She had six assists.
     Shantiera Miller scored 14 points, Crystal Shields 12 and Montique McConnell 11 for LeMoyne-Owen, an NCAA Division II member which will open its regular season Nov. 18.
     Xavier never trailed and led for all but two minutes and 13 seconds. Whitney Gathright's 3-pointer at 1:16 of the first quarter put the Gold Nuggets ahead to stay, 16-13. Xavier led 34-26 at halftime and took its largest lead, 14 points, twice in the final five minutes.
     LeMoyne-Owen outshot Xavier 33.9 to 31.5 percent from the floor, but the Gold Nuggets outrebounded the Lady Magicians 49-43 and were plus-9 in turnovers, committing 22 and gaining 31. LeMoyne-Owen had 20 second-half turnovers.