MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Florida Memorial's Bri Battle outscored Xavier University of Louisiana 10-0 in the final 1:46 — all on made free throws — to help the Lady Lions earn an 81-71 basketball victory Wednesday.
     Both teams are 5-3. Next for the Gold Nuggets will be two games at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, including a 10 a.m. AST Friday matchup at the University of the Virgin Islands.
     Jas Hill's second-chance basket with 8:01 remaining gave XULA a 61-55 lead. XULA never led again after Battle's 3-pointer made it 65-63 with 5:24 remaining, although there were four ties thereafter.
     XULA led 21-9 after one quarter, trailed 35-34 at halftime, then entered the final period with a 55-52 advantage.
     Kyla Duncan and Hill scored 18 points apiece for XULA. Duncan, a freshman, scored 16 second-half points. Essence Wells scored 13 points and Gina Smith 12. Hill grabbed seven rebounds.
     Tyesha Battle scored 21 points, Bri Battle 18, Danielle Bailey 16 and Unique Tate 14 for FMU. Tate made four 3-pointers, and Tyesha Battle and Bailey made three apiece.
     FMU made 13 3-pointers, seven in the second half, and 24-of-26 free throws, 19-of-20 in the second half.
     The Lady Lions avenged a 76-58 loss at XULA from the opening day of the Xavier Classic Nov. 2.