LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball erased a 21-point second-half deficit before losing 70-67 in overtime Monday to Philander Smith.
     The Gold Rush (9-8, 1-2 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) will play twice at home this week: 7 p.m. Thursday against Oakwood in a non-league game, then 5 p.m. Saturday against GCAC rival Edward Waters.
     XULA trailed 31-16 at halftime and 41-20 with 13:42 remaining in the second half, but the Gold Rush rallied and forced overtime when Rayshawn Mart made a 3-pointer from the right corner with 2.8 seconds remaining. That tied the score at 57.
     XULA led 64-61 in overtime after Mart's layup with 90 seconds remaining, then the Panthers (5-13, 2-2) scored nine of the final 12 points and took the lead for good, 66-64, on Jaylon Bardley's basket with 22 seconds remaining.
     Mart scored 20 points and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds. Damani Flanagain scored nine points and William Loyd eight for XULA.
     Dejalin Austin scored 21 points, Bardley 13 and Na'Quon Cothron 12 for Philander Smith.
     The teams combined to miss 30 free throws. XULA was 23-of-37 from the line and missed five in the final five minutes of regulation.
     The Gold Rush are 0-2 this season in overtime and 5-3 in games decided by four points or fewer.