NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana made a school-record 16 3-pointers Monday in a 94-68 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Rust.
     The Gold Rush (15-13, 6-6) will play GCAC and city rival SUNO at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Convocation Center.
     Sophomore Rayshawn Mart made a career-best five 3-pointers in six attempts to lead XULA's perimeter shooters. Anfernee King and Jeff Dixon made three 3s apiece, Ed Carter and Khalil McCoy made two apiece, and Damani Flanagain.
     The previous mark was 14 made 3s against Wesley (Miss.) on Nov. 15, 2004, at XULA's previous home facility, The Barn. Alfred Williams, who was 1-of-1 on 3-pointers against Wesley, is in his third season as Gold Rush head coach.
     XULA made 10 first-half 3s to build a 46-27 lead at the break. King tied the school record with 4:29 remaining. McCoy broke the mark at 1:29 and tacked on a 16th XULA trey with 33 seconds remaining.
     The leading Gold Rush scorer, William Loyd, didn't attempt any 3s. He was 8-of-10 from the floor and 2-of-2 from the line to score 18 points — his eighth consecutive game in double figures. Mart and King scored 15 points apiece, and McCoy had 10, eight in the final two minutes.
     Mart produced game highs of six assists and three blocked shots. King's point total was a season high.
     Quentin Pough scored 23 points, Mycheal Robinson 17, Stacey Regular 13 and Ke'Jerrick Taylor 11 for the Bearcats (1-23, 0-13), who dropped their 15th in a row.
     XULA shot 60.7 percent from the floor and 57.1 percent on 3-pointers. The Gold Rush, led by Haji Jawara's season-best nine rebounds, won the boards 38-22.
     SUNO and Philander Smith will be XULA's final two opponents before the GCAC Tournament March 1-3 in Jacksonville, Fla. The Gold Rush have clinched the No. 5 seed in the eight-team event.