NEW ORLEANS -- Morris Wright scored 22 points Monday in Xavier University of Louisiana's 86-73 men's basketball home victory against city rival Loyola and became the 27th Gold Rush player to reach 1,000 career points.
     Wright's final score, a left-side layup with 53 seconds remaining, gave him 1,001 career points in three XU seasons. Wright is a senior point guard from Zachary, La., and a graduate of Zachary High School.
     Xavier (4-0), ranked 19th in the NAIA, trailed 13-4 in the sixth minute but rallied to take a 42-26 halftime lead. The Wolf Pack (2-2) never drew closer than five points in the second half.
     Seth Jackson had season highs of 14 points and four assists for Xavier, and Charles Savoy scored a career-high nine points. RJ Daniels had seven points and a season-high-tying eight rebounds. Elex Carter blocked three shots.
     Jalen Gray scored 17 points and Johnny Griffin 14 for Loyola, and Nick Parker and Tre'Von Jasmine scored 11 points apiece. Griffin grabbed 11 rebounds.
     Xavier outshot Loyola 52.7 to 34.4 percent from the floor. The Gold Rush made 25-of-31 free throws, and Loyola made 26-of-40. The teams will meet again Dec. 3 at Loyola.
     Xavier will play Miles at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Convocation Center.