LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Jas Hill made 1-of-2 free throws with 2.2 seconds remaining Monday to give Xavier University of Louisiana a 59-58 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against Philander Smith.
     The Gold Nuggets (13-5, 3-0) won in Mims Gymnasium for the first time after five consecutive losses dating to 2014. Overall it was XULA's eighth victory in its last 10 games.
     Hill scored 12 points, Essence Wells nine and Caprice Taylor eight for XULA, which trailed 28-24 at halftime and spent about 5 1/2 minutes with the lead. Hill, Maya Trench and Mikayla Bates grabbed six rebounds apiece, and Taylor had five steals.
     Hill, Wells and Taylor each made a pair of 3-pointers.
     Briauna Mitchell scored 15 points and Terralyn Dominick 10 for the Lady Panthers (11-9, 2-2). Dominick, the GCAC Player of the Year last season, was 3-of-15 from the floor and committed eight turnovers.
     XULA shares first place in the GCAC with defending champion Dillard.
     XULA will play host to GCAC opponent Edward Waters at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Convocation Center.