HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Rayshawn Mart made three free throws, grabbed a defensive rebound and blocked a shot in the final 45 seconds Monday to help Xavier University of Louisiana preserve a 54-50 men's basketball victory against William Carey.
        Mart, who finished with 13 points and nine rebounds, made both ends of a 1-and-1 with five-tenths of a second remaining for the final points.
        XULA, 6-1 with a five-game winning streak, led 31-24 at halftime and did not lose the lead thereafter.
        Makye Richard had 11 points, three assists and four steals for the Gold Rush. Lance Williams scored eight points, including 2-of-3 3-pointers, and Cameron Wells had eight points, six rebounds and two steals. Wells equaled his season highs in points and rebounds. Corey Dunning grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds, nine offensive.
        Maxwell Starwood scored 13 points, including 4-of-7 3-pointers, and blocked three shots for Carey (2-1). Arturro Bingham had 12 points, four steals and was 5-of-5 from the floor, and Zarkeichious Martin scored 11.
        XULA limited Carey to its fewest points since the Crusaders' 50-49 home victory against the Gold Rush on Nov. 19, 2018. It was XULA's first victory in its last five visits to Carey.
        XULA, a longtime NAIA member, will play a 7 p.m. Wednesday exhibition at NCAA Division I Louisiana-Lafayette. The next home game will start at 2 p.m. Dec. 4 against Crowley's Ridge.