JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jas Hill scored 26 points and Essence Wells 17 to lead Xavier University of Louisiana in a 67-53 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against Edward Waters.
     The Gold Nuggets (18-6, 8-1) remained a half-game behind GCAC leader Talladega and won for the fifth time in six conference road games. A year ago XULA was 1-5 on the road in the GCAC.
     Hill made 11-of-22 field goals in her fifth 20-point performance of the season and the third in her last five games. Wells made 7-of-7 free throws and scored in double figures for the second consecutive game.
     No one else scored more than five points for XULA. Mikayla Bates grabbed eight rebounds, and Kyla Duncan blocked two shots.
     La'Quanza Glover had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Lady Tigers (13-10, 4-5). Jermisha Collins scored 12 points, and Mia Leite had 10.
     Edward Waters scored the first six points, then XULA scored the next 12 and didn't relinquish the lead. A 27-8 second quarter gave the Gold Nuggets a 39-18 halftime advantage.
     "We played great defense and shared the basketball," XULA coach Bo Browder said of the second quarter.
     XULA outshot Edward Waters 41.4 to 35.1 percent from the floor.
     XULA will play NAIA No. 13 Talladega at 5:30 p.m. next Monday at XULA's Convocation Center. Talladega defeated the Gold Nuggets 73-63 Saturday.