PDF Box Score
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana
began a challenging stretch of its women's basketball schedule with a 77-58
loss Wednesday to Auburn at XULA's Convocation Center.
Auburn was the first of four NCAA Division I opponents
in five games for the Gold Nuggets, who counted this game as an exhibition.
But the Tigers (5-1) counted it in their records and statistics, and the
result was the 250th career head-coaching victory for Terri Williams-Flournoy.
Emari Jones made 4-of-6 3-pointers and scored 16 points
for Auburn. Unique Thompson had 15 points, eight rebounds and three steals.
Daisa Alexander had 13 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals and made 3-of-3 3-pointers,
and Janiah McKay had nine points and seven assists.
Jas Hill made 3-of-5 3-pointers and scored 13 points
for XULA, a longtime NAIA power, and
Nahrie Pierce scored 10.
Kyla Duncan and
Maya Trench grabbed
seven rebounds apiece, and
Mikayla Bates had four assists.
Auburn led 39-30 at halftime and led by 20 points
twice in the final six minutes.
The Tigers outshot the Gold Nuggets 43.9 to 40.8 from the floor
and had a 34-33 rebound advantage. Both teams shot 3-pointers well — Auburn was 10-of-24,
and XULA was 8-of-22. The Gold Nuggets were flawless at the line, making all 10 of
their free throws, but they were minus-11 in turnovers, committing 25 and gaining 14.
Williams-Flournoy is 250-196 in 15 seasons overall as a head coach, 107-92 in her
seventh season at Auburn.
Auburn is the first SEC team in any sport to play
a countable contest against XULA on XULA's campus.
XULA (7-3) will visit NCAA DI Southeastern Louisiana (4-1)
at 6 p.m. Friday, and both teams will count it in their records and statistics.
The Gold Nuggets' next home game will tip off at 6 p.m. Monday against Mobile.
NOTES: Why did an SEC team visit an NAIA
school? XULA head coach
Bo Browder explains: "One of my assistant coaches,
Tarniesha Scott,
has known one of the Auburn assistants, Adrian Walters, for quite some time.
Auburn approached us late in scheduling last season. They needed to fill a spot.
We helped out Auburn, and they promised to play a second game at our place this season."
. . . XULA's final two DI opponents will be Dec. 15 at Louisiana-Lafayette and
Dec. 16 at home against North Texas. XULA will play North Texas as an exhibition opponent
and count the game at the Ragin' Cajuns in its records and statistics.
However, the Cajuns' online schedule lists XULA as an exhibition opponent.
