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     LAFAYETTE, La. — Xavier University of Louisiana led NCAA Division I Louisiana-Lafayette at halftime and was tied in the 35th minute before falling 59-50 Saturday in a women's basketball exhibition.
     It was the best performance of the season for the Gold Nuggets, who lost by 31 and 21 points to NAIA teams in their first two regular-season games.
     Essence Wells scored 12 points, Gina Smith 11 and DeDe Martinez eight for XULA. Smith and Martinez blocked two shots apiece. Mikayla Bates grabbed 11 rebounds, and Martinez had 10.
     Ty'Reonne Doucet was 6-of-6 from the floor and scored 15 points for the Ragin' Cajuns. Skyler Goodwin had 14 points and nine rebounds, and Simone Fields had 12 points and 11 rebounds.
     XULA led 22-20 at halftime and tied the score at 46 on a Wells 3-pointer with 5:46 remaining. The Cajuns outscored the Nuggets 13-4 thereafter, and Fields scored six during the run.
     UL Lafayette outshot XULA 40 to 32.2 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Gold Nuggets 44-39. XULA made 7-of-7 second-half free throws.
     The Gold Nuggets will visit LSU-Alexandria at 5 p.m. Wednesday.