WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball outscored nationally ranked Keiser by double digits in the final 15 minutes Tuesday before losing 81-65 in the Chuck Daly Classic.
     Leland Alexander had 10 points, five rebounds and two assists for the Gold Rush (3-11). Jalen David scored nine points, and Elex Carter and Hakeem Simon scored eight apiece.
     Andrija Sarenac made four 3-pointers and scored 16 points for the Seahawks (14-2), who are 23rd in NAIA Division II. Deion McClenton scored 15 points — he was 7-of-7 from the floor — Stefan Zecevic scored 14, and Brice Jenkins scored 12. It was Keiser's 11th consecutive victory.
     After trailing 49-29 at halftime, XULA outscored Keiser 36-32 in the second half, 25-14 in the
final 15 minutes. Alexander led the late surge with six points.
     Sarenac and McClenton scored 11 first-half points apiece.
     Keiser outshot the Gold Rush 50 to 44.8 percent from the floor and made 10 3-pointers to XULA's two. XULA outrebounded the Seahawks 37-28; Keiser entered the game with a plus-6.2 rebound margin for the season.
     Keiser is coached by 82-year-old Rollie Massimino, who led Villanova to an NCAA championship in 1985. Massimino is 292-64 in his 11th season at Keiser and 807-455 in 41 seasons overall.
     Next for XULA will be its Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener at 5 p.m. Saturday against Tougaloo at the Convocation Center.