NEW ORLEANS — Lauren Banks' 21 points and six rebounds Friday led Xavier University of Louisiana to a 73-69 women's basketball victory against city rival Dillard.
        The Gold Nuggets (2-0) scored their most points against Dillard at DU's Dent Hall in 17 years.
        Banks, a graduate transfer from NCAA Division II Saint Augustine's, made four 3-pointers.
        Kam Shelley scored 12 points for XULA, and Joy Campbell and Zaria Harleaux had 11 apiece. Harleaux had six assists.
        Cassidy Lowe scored 15 points for the Lady Bleu Devils (0-1), and Imani Rothschild and D'Mya Ferguson scored 12 apiece. Rothschild grabbed 10 rebounds.
        XULA led 35-27 at halftime and took the lead for good, 64-63, on Banks' two free throws with 3:22 remaining.
        XULA defeated Dillard for the seventh consecutive time, including four victories at Dent Hall. They'll meet again at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 18 in the Crosstown Classic at XULA's Convocation Center.
        Next for the Gold Nuggets will be a 12:30 p.m. exhibition Nov. 9 against NCAA Division I Grambling in XULA's homecoming doubleheader.