NEW ORLEANS — Maya Trench scored a career-high 21 points Thursday to lead Xavier University of Louisiana to a 69-61 women's basketball victory against LSU-Shreveport in the Xavier Classic.
     Trench, a 5-foot-2 freshman point guard, tied a career high with eight assists, and she had six rebounds and one turnover in 34 minutes. She is the first XULA player this season to reach 20 points in a game.
     Mikayla Bates scored a career-high-tying 10 points for the Gold Nuggets (5-5), and Angelle Simon had career highs of nine points and five rebounds. Aliyah Bell grabbed 10 rebounds and reached double figures for the second time this season.
     Kourtney Pennywell had 17 points, a season-high 12 rebounds and two blocked shots for the Lady Pilots (1-6). Courtney Randle and Chaterra Cage scored 11 points apiece, Quiana Tucker grabbed 12 rebounds, and Bria Freeland had a career-high nine assists.
     After a halftime tie at 28, XULA went ahead to stay, 34-33, on Jordan Coleman's basket at 7:03 of the third quarter. The Gold Nuggets led 51-42 by the end of the period and took their biggest lead, 56-42, on a Trench 3-pointer with 7:28 remaining. The trey was Trench's third of the game, also a career best.
     XULA outshot LSUS 38.2 to 32.4 percent from the floor. The Gold Nuggets made eight 3-pointers for the second consecutive game.
     XULA has won two straight after losing five in a row. It was the fourth consecutive loss for LSUS, whose only win this season was at home Nov. 12 against XULA.
     Langston defeated Dillard 67-66 in the opening game of the event. On Friday, Dillard will play LSUS at 1 p.m., and XULA will play Langston at 5 p.m. A girls high school game between East St. John and Ellender will tip off at 3 p.m.