NEW ORLEANS — Essence Wells and Kyla Duncan led Xavier University of Louisiana to a 68-56 women's basketball victory Tuesday against William Carey.
     Wells scored 15 points and tied her career high with four made 3-pointers, and Duncan collected her first double-double for the Gold Nuggets: 12 points and a career-best 12 rebounds.
     XULA (2-1) led the final 32 minutes, including 34-25 at halftime. It was the Gold Nuggets' home opener and the Lady Crusaders' season opener.
     Da'Jha Virgil scored nine points for XULA, and Abryhia Irons — the Gold Nuggets' only freshman — had seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.
     Danyelle Lewis scored 11 points, including three 3-pointers, and Savannah Richardson 10 for William Carey, which lost to the Nuggets at XULA for the 23rd consecutive time.
     William Carey outshot XULA 41.7 to 35.5 percent from the floor. The Gold Nuggets had a 9-8 advantage in made 3s and outscored the Lady Crusaders 15-8 in free throws. XULA had a 40-35 rebound advantage and was plus-10 in turnovers, committing 17 and gaining 27. It was the 497th consecutive game that XULA gained 10-or-more turnovers.
     XULA stretched its home win streak to 14. The Nuggets have not lost in the Convocation Center since the semifinals of the 2018 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.
     Attendance was 506 — about 100 more than last season's opener — and the festivities included a performance by XULA's new athletics pep band.
     XULA will try to improve its overall win streak to three in a 2 p.m. Saturday game at the University of Mobile.