NEW ORLEANS — Freshman Russell Harrison opened his college career with 15 points to lead hot-shooting Wayland Baptist in an 83-68 men's basketball victory Friday against NAIA No. 25 Xavier University of Louisiana.
     Wayland Baptist (1-0) shot 50 percent from the floor and made 12 3-pointers in 25 attempts. The Pioneers shot 59.3 percent from the floor in the second half.
     Harrison made three 3-pointers, and four teammates made two treys apiece. Maurice Redmond scored 14 points, Louis Timms had 13 and Marshall Nelson and Joshua Throns added 10 apiece for the Pioneers. Timms grabbed 11 rebounds and had six blocks and three steals.
     Seth Jackson led the Gold Rush (1-1) with 19 points and five rebounds. Jalen David scored 16 points, and Leland Alexander and Lucas Martin-Julien scored eight apiece.
     Wayland Baptist took the lead for good in the second minute and led 36-28 at halftime. A Timms 3-point play with 9:38 remaining gave the Pioneers their biggest lead, 64-44.
     Both teams qualified for the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship last season.
     XULA will play host to NAIA No. 5 LSU-Alexandria at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Convocation Center. LSUA will be the first of two top-10 opponents for the Gold Rush next week.