NEW ORLEANS — Adriana Anderson scored the winning points with 2:43 remaining, then Talladega shut out Xavier University of Louisiana in its final four possessions to earn a 56-54 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory Monday.
     The Lady Tornadoes (19-8, 10-1) clinched their second consecutive GCAC regular-season championship.
     The Gold Nuggets (16-12, 5-6) did not score after Maya Trench's basket at 3:44 gave them a 54-52 lead. Talladega then scored on its next two possessions, then pitched the defensive shutout to beat XULA for the second time this season and the fifth time in their last six meetings.
     XULA missed twice from the floor in the final 26 seconds, and Sashanique Youngblood stole the ball from the Gold Nuggets' Ireyon Keith with two seconds remaining.
     Tajanee Wells had 15 points and eight rebounds for Talladega. Tasheba Henry scored 12 points, and Sydnee Clark had 10.
     Kelsee Singleton, one of three honored in a halftime senior ceremony, had 10 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots for XULA. Mikayla Bates had eight points and seven rebounds.
     XULA led 17-16 after one quarter, but Talladega led 35-23 at halftime after opening the second period with 14 consecutive points.
     Talladega outshot XULA 34.9 to 29 percent from the floor.
     XULA also honored seniors Kelsey Joseph and Bianca Brown in their final regular-season home game.
     The Gold Nuggets will close their regular season in a GCAC game at 3 p.m. Saturday at Tougaloo. The GCAC Tournament will begin March 3 in New Orleans, with XULA playing host to the semifinals March 4 and the finals March 5.