HAMMOND, La. — Xavier University of Louisiana outscored Southeastern Louisiana in each of the final three quarters to earn a 59-47 women's basketball victory Friday.
     The Gold Nuggets (8-3), a longtime NAIA power, defeated an NCAA Division I team for the first time since a 64-55 home victory against Grambling on Nov. 23, 2007.
     Mikayla Bates scored a season-high 12 points, Jas Hill scored 11, and Gina Smith produced her sixth career double-double with 11 points and a XULA season-high 13 rebounds.
     "Our team is coming together," XULA coach Bo Browder said. "We stayed together, stuck to the scouting report and executed down the stretch. Our defense and rebounding were excellent."
     Kyla Duncan's only field goal broke a tie at 22 and put the Gold Nuggets ahead to stay at 4:32 of the second quarter. XULA led 29-22 at halftime. Hill's 3-point play at 6:21 of the fourth quarter made it 49-39 and gave XULA a double-digit lead thereafter.
     The Gold Nuggets outshot the Lady Lions 34.8 to 28.8 percent from the floor. XULA made seven 3-pointers, two apiece by Bates and Essence Wells, and 20-of-24 free throws, led by Hill's 7-of-7 performance and Nahrie Pierce's 4-of-4.
     Jaclyn Scholvin, with 13 points, was the only double-figure scorer for Southeastern (4-2), which lost for the first time since its opener. Caitlyn Williams grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked three shots.
     XULA will play Mobile at 6 p.m. Monday in the Convocation Center — the Gold Nuggets' final game before semester exams.
     NOTES:  XULA limited Southeastern to its fewest points in a home game since a 60-36 loss to McNeese on Jan. 18, 2012 . . . It was the Gold Nuggets' first road win against an NCAA Division I opponent since a 54-53 decision at Northwestern State on Nov. 16, 2007 . . . The winning margin was XULA's largest against a DI opponent since a 75-60 victory at Nicholls on Dec. 13, 2004 . . . Browder has nine victories against DI teams in his 20 seasons as head coach.