Box score

        LAKELAND, Fla. — Makye Richard's two free throws with six seconds remaining Friday gave Xavier University of Louisiana a 57-56 victory against 18th-ranked Southeastern (Fla.) in the 2022 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Opening Round, presented by Ballogy.
        The Gold Rush (23-6) will play fourth-ranked Arizona Christian (28-4) in the round of 32 at 7 p.m. EST Saturday. Arizona Christian defeated Tougaloo 76-61 in the other game.
        The XULA-Arizona Christian winner will advance to the final 16 at Kansas City, Mo. Third-round games will be Thursday and Friday.
        Richard scored the final points. Southeastern had a chance to win on the ensuing possession, but Riley Minix missed both his free throws with two seconds remaining.
        Richard made amends for his 1-of-2 free throws with 3.2 seconds remaining Feb. 28 — the final point in a 60-59 loss to Louisiana Christian in the semifinals of the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament at Alexandria, La.
        "I knew I couldn't make that mistake twice," said Richard, a fifth-year player and a first-team All-Red River Athletic Conference selection this season. "Since the conference tournament I had been shooting a lot of free throws to prepare for this moment.
        "When I went to the line, Coach AJ (Alfred Williams) was drinking his water and smiling. He was so confident in me. I was comfortable in the moment. I was locked in, and I was OK."
        The victory was the 12th in XULA's last 14 games.
        It is the first time in nearly 50 years that XULA men's basketball won at NAIA nationals in consecutive years. The Gold Rush won once in 1972 and twice in 1973. From 1974-2020, the Gold Rush were 1-16 at nationals.