NEW ORLEANS — William Loyd and Rayshawn Mart led Xavier University of Louisiana to a wire-to-wire 73-66 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory Saturday against Edward Waters.
     Loyd scored a game-high 21 points, including nine free throws — the most in a game this season by a XULA player. Mart produced 15 points and 11 rebounds in his first double-double of the season and the fourth of his career.
     Anfernee King chipped in a season-high 11 points for the Gold Rush (11-8, 2-2).
     Arcuas McGhee had 18 points and 11 rebounds for Edward Waters (7-9, 2-3), and Cedric McGinnis scored 10. Sean Dinkins grabbed 11 rebounds.
     XULA scored the first nine points and led 36-29 at halftime. The largest lead was 61-45 after Haji Jawara's basket with 5:54 remaining.
     The Gold Rush are 9-0 at home all-time against the Tigers.
     The Gold Rush will visit NAIA No. 10 Tougaloo at 7:30 p.m. Monday, then play Dillard at 5 p.m. next Saturday in the Crosstown Classic at XULA's Convocation Center. Tougaloo is 5-0 and Dillard 4-0 in the GCAC.