NEW ORLEANS — William Loyd, the leader of Xavier University of Louisiana's 99-75 Crosstown Classic men's basketball victory Saturday against Dillard, has been chosen Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week for Feb. 10-16.
     It's the third GCAC weekly award of the season for Loyd, a 6-foot-5 senior forward from Baton Rouge, La., and a former Madison Perp standout.
     Loyd produced his seventh double-double of the season, 29 points and 12 rebounds. He also had five assists and three steals. Loyd helped XULA score its most points in a game in this 144-game city series since 1990. Loyd's 11 made field goals were a career high, and the 29 points were his second most.
     Loyd also was runner-up for Louisiana Player of the Week, which is chosen by a Louisiana Sports Writers Association panel.
     Loyd is averaging 16 points and 8.1 rebounds in 26 games this season and shooting 55.5 percent from the floor. He leads the team in rebounding and double-doubles.
     The Gold Rush — 21-5 overall, 9-1 in the GCAC and ranked 13th in NAIA Division I — will go on the road for conference games against third-place Talladega at 5 p.m. Saturday and fourth-place Edward Waters at 7:30 p.m. EST Monday. XULA, winner of 11 of its last 12 games and 17 of its last 19, is a half-game behind leader Tougaloo in the GCAC and tied in the loss column.