TOUGALOO, Miss. — Freshman point guard Maya Trench scored 16 points Saturday, seven during a decisive third-quarter run, to lead Xavier University of Louisiana to a 62-50 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against Tougaloo.
     The Gold Nuggets (17-12, 6-6) snapped a two-game losing streak in their regular-season finale. They'll play Friday in the opening round of the GCAC Tournament at SUNO — time and opponent are still to be determined. Game times at The Castle will be noon, 2 and 5 p.m.
     After Tougaloo's Shenequa Foster made 1-of-2 free throws to tie the score at 25 at 8:11 of the third quarter, XULA pulled away for good with a 16-3 run. Trench and Mikayla Bates made 3-pointers during the run, and Trench's deuce at 2:26 gave the Gold Nuggets a 41-28 advantage.
     For the third time this season, XULA outscored its opponent in every quarter. The Gold Nuggets led 23-20 at halftime.
     Bianca Brown and Trench were the only Gold Nuggets with more than six points. Brown had nine points, eight rebounds and a career-best three blocked shots.
     Ahsia Clayton made 4-of-7 3-pointers and scored 17 points for Tougaloo (10-14, 5-6), which never led.
     XULA outshot the Lady Bulldogs 37.9 to 33.3 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 35-23.
     XULA beat Tougaloo for the 14th consecutive time and the 27th time in their last 28 meetings. Tougaloo will close its regular season at home Monday against Dillard.