NEW ORLEANS — Newcomer Aliyah Bell had 16 points and 13 rebounds Friday to lead Xavier University of Louisiana to a season-opening 70-57 women's basketball victory against Florida Memorial.
     Bell, who started and played 27 1/2 minutes, is a junior guard/forward from Pass Christian, Miss., and a transfer from Jones County (Miss.) Junior College.
     Kelsee Singleton and freshman Jalyn Hodge scored 12 points apiece for XULA. Singleton's total was a career high. Hodge, a reserve guard, made 4-of-5 3-pointers. Another freshman, Maya Trench, started at point guard and produced seven rebounds, eight assists and five steals.
     Abreona Cabell had 25 points — she made 15-of-21 free throws — and eight rebounds for Florida Memorial, which also opened its season. Cabell committed 10 of her team's 24 turnovers.
     XULA outshot Florida Memorial 41.2 to 24.1 percent from the floor. The Lady Lions opened the scoring with a Cabell 3-pointer, but the Gold Nuggets answered with a 17-1 run and did not trail again.
     The Gold Nuggets led 19-7 after one quarter, 28-24 at halftime and 46-39 through three quarters.
     XULA will play host to Webber International at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Convocation Center.