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        NEW ORLEANS — For the first time since the 1980-81 season, Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball will enter Christmas with an unbeaten record.
        The Gold Nuggets are 7-0 after defeating Jarvis Christian 73-63 in a Red River Athletic Conference game Saturday. It was XULA's fourth league victory.
        XULA pulled away after a tie at 17 through one quarter and got season-high point totals from Taylor Dewitt (18), Shylia McGee (16) and Jordyn Manning (13). Zaria Harleaux grabbed nine rebounds, Rayna Ross and Sierra Headquist had eight apiece, and Jaleah LaFargue had four steals.
        Faith Robinson had 16 points and 13 rebounds for Jarvis Christian (6-5, 2-4), and Jacy Reese scored 14.
        XULA led 37-30 at halftime and 55-49 through three quarters. Headquist's two free throws with 6:52 remaining gave the Gold Nuggets their largest lead, 64-50.
        XULA outshot the Bulldogs 38.3 to 32.8 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 52-39. XULA made 23-of-36 free throws to Jarvis Christian's 17-of-24.
        The Gold Nuggets will break for Christmas, then resume their schedule in the Keiser New Year's Classic at West Palm Beach, Fla. XULA will play at noon Dec. 29 against Keiser and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 30 against Florida Memorial. Times are Eastern. The Gold Nuggets' next home game will tip off at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 11 against RRAC opponent LSU-Alexandria at the Convocation Center.

Red River Athletic Conference scores of Dec. 16, 2023 (home teams in bold)
XULA 73, Jarvis Christian 63
LSU-Shreveport 62, Huston-Tillotson 48
Texas A&M-Texarkana 77, Our Lady of the Lake 58
Southwest (N.M.) 65, Louisiana Christian 64
LSU-Alexandria 100, Paul Quinn 57
North American 99, Texas College 75

Red River Athletic Conference standings through Dec. 16, 2023
4-0 XULA
4-0 LSU-Shreveport
3-1 LSU-Alexandria
3-2 Huston-Tillotson
2-2 Louisiana Christian
2-2 Texas A&M-Texarkana
2-2 North American
2-3 Southwest (N.M.)
2-3 Our Lady of the Lake
2-4 Jarvis Christian
1-4 Paul Quinn
1-5 Texas College