JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Xavier University of Louisiana outscored Edward Waters 8-0 in the final 3:40 of overtime Sunday to earn a 56-52 women's basketball victory in the championship game of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.
        XULA earned the GCAC's automatic bid to NAIA nationals after Nia Bishop's basket with 27 seconds remaining put XULA (12-6), the No. 4 seed, ahead to stay.
        Sophomore Abryhia Irons, named tournament MVP, had 10 points, 10 rebounds and six steals for XULA. Teammate Victory Udechi had 11 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks and joined Irons on the five-member all-tournament team.
        La'Quanza Glover had 26 points and 18 rebounds for third-seeded Edward Waters (11-5), a loser in the title game for the third time in four years, twice on its home floor.
        The Lady Tigers' late drought consisted of four missed field goals — two were 3-pointers — two missed free throws and five turnovers.
        XULA will enter nationals with a season-best six-game win streak. The streak started after it lost its first three February games, all in conference.
        "We had some great games and some not-so-great games," Irons said. "We made it here, and we weren't leaving without the championship trophy. When we play together as a team, it is extremely hard to beat us."
        Edward Waters led 10-3 after eight minutes, but XULA rallied to take a 21-19 halftime lead. The Lady Tigers led 45-40 with 3:57 remaining in regulation, but six straight XULA points and Glover's 1-of-2 free throws with 29 seconds remaining sent the teams to overtime tied at 46.
        XULA's starting point guard, Nina German, produced a game-high seven assists. She missed all 11 of her shots during regulation, but she made two free throws with 2:23 remaining to cut the Edward Waters deficit to 52-51 — then two more free throws with seven seconds remaining for the final points.
        The NAIA nationals bid is XULA's 21st, all in the last 26 seasons. The GCAC Tournament title is Bo Browder's ninth in 22 seasons as XULA's head coach and his first since 2016.
        "We worked hard as a team and played for each other," said Udechi, in her first season at XULA after transferring from GCAC and city rival SUNO, which dropped athletics. "I just want to thank our coaches for preparing us to be champions. From the first game I knew we were going to win it."
        Added Da'Jha Virgil, whose 39 points in three tournament games led XULA in scoring, "The run to the title wasn't easy, and the whole team knew that it was going to be tough. But we all stepped up and contributed when it was needed. We had it on our minds that we were going to win no matter what."