NEW ORLEANS — Cory Wells and Xavier Reaves had 17 points and 11 rebounds apiece Saturday to lead Xavier University of Louisiana to a 72-60 men's basketball homecoming victory against LeMoyne-Owen at the Convocation Center.
        Wells also had three assists, two blocks and two steals, and Reaves had two assists, a block and a steal.
        The Gold Rush (2-0) outshot the Magicians 44.4 to 36.1 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 45-30.
        Jeremy Lindsey scored 13 points for XULA. Gjerard Wilson scored 13 points for LeMoyne-Owen, an NCAA Division II team which played the game as an exhibition.
        XULA led 36-35 at halftime, then pulled away and led 66-49 when Wells passed to Reaves for a basket with 4:51 remaining.
        XULA lost 68-60 at LeMoyne-Owen in an exhibition for both teams one week earlier.
        XULA will play host to city rival SUNO at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Convocation Center. SUNO did not compete in intercollegiate athletics the past two seasons but reinstated men's and women's basketball for 2022-23.