NEW ORLEANS — Whitney Gathright scored 18 points Monday to lead Xavier University of Louisiana to a 70-62 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against SUNO.
     The Gold Nuggets (17-9, 5-4) honored six student-athletes, including Gathright, at halftime on senior night, and four scored in double figures. Donyeah Mayfield had 14 points, and Alesha Smith and Trana Hopkins scored 10 apiece.
     Xavier assured itself of a 15th consecutive winning season, which extends a school record.
     Rayvin Miller scored 25 points, 19 in the second half, for the Lady Knights (9-12, 4-6). Jophiea Irvin scored 16 points, and Micah Brooks grabbed 11 rebounds.
     Gathright made 12-of-13 free throws and tied a career high with nine rebounds. Mayfield blocked four shots to match her career best.
     Xavier led the final 38 minutes and held its largest lead, 30-12, after Hopkins opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer. The Gold Nuggets led 45-28 at halftime.
     Miller scored 11 points in a 15-2 run that opened the fourth quarter and cut Xavier's lead to 62-57, but the Lady Knights got no closer.
     SUNO outshot Xavier 33.9 to 32.8 percent from the floor, but the Gold Nuggets made 28-of-35 free throws, both season highs, to SUNO's 13-of-19. Xavier made its first 22 attempts from the line.
     Xavier, 0-3 a year ago against SUNO, won both regular-season meetings. The Gold Nuggets lead the series 64-13.
     Also honored on senior night were Emoni Harvey (five points, season-high-tying seven rebounds) and Amara Person-Hampton (three points, three rebounds).
     Xavier will visit a non-conference city rival, NAIA No. 25 Loyola, at 7 p.m. Wednesday.