NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana got a career-high 19 points from senior guard Jaleah LaFargue and cruised Saturday to an 84-58 Red River Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against Louisiana Christian.
        It was the second time this season that the Gold Nuggets (10-3 overall, 7-1 RRAC) reached 80 points, and it occurred two days after a season-low 49 points in an RRAC home loss to LSU-Alexandria.
        LaFargue — who averaged 2.5 points in 77 career games at XULA prior to Saturday and 3.6 points this season — was the catalyst. LaFargue scored nine first-quarter points and 14 by halftime, when the Gold Nuggets led 43-23. LaFargue finished 7-of-10 from the floor, 3-of-4 on 3-pointers, made both her free throws and tacked on three rebounds, three assists and three steals in 22 minutes.
        Other XULA contributors included Jordyn Manning with 12 points, Rayna Ross with 10 and Zaria Harleaux and Shylia McGee with eight apiece. Manning had a game-high five steals, McGee made both her 3-point attempts, and Sierra Headquist grabbed six rebounds.
        RRAC scoring leader Princis Goff led the Wildcats (6-6, 3-5) with 17 points, and McKayla Price had 10 points and eight rebounds.
        Gabrielle Morrison's basket with 5:12 remaining gave the Gold Nuggets their largest lead, 80-43.
        XULA outshot the Wildcats 48.4 to 28.3 percent from the floor and was plus-14 in turnovers, committing 21 and gaining 35. LCU made all 26 of its free throws, led by Goff and DaKayla Howard with six apiece.
        RRAC leader LSU-Shreveport won, as did LSUA, which is tied for second with XULA. The Pilots hold a one-game lead over XULA and LSUA.
        XULA will play three RRAC road games in six days next week: 2 p.m. Monday at North American (Stafford, Texas), 5:30 p.m. Thursday at LSUS and 2 p.m. Saturday at Texas A&M-Texarkana. XULA's next home game will be Jan. 25.

Red River Athletic Conference scores of Jan. 13, 2024 (home teams in bold)
XULA 84, Louisiana Christian 58
LSU-Alexandria 68, North American 57
LSU-Shreveport 108, Texas College 58
Jarvis Christian 63, Texas A&M-Texarkana 62
Huston-Tillotson 59, Paul Quinn 43
Southwest (N.M.) 72, Our Lady of the Lake 68

Red River Athletic Conference standings through Jan. 13, 2024
8-0 LSU-Shreveport
7-1 XULA
7-1 LSU-Alexandria
5-3 North American
5-3 Texas A&M-Texarkana
4-5 Huston-Tillotson
4-5 Southwest (N.M.)
4-6 Jarvis Christian
3-5 Louisiana Christian
3-6 Our Lady of the Lake
1-8 Paul Quinn
1-9 Texas College