NEW ORLEANS — Fifth-year guard James Weathers scored a Convocation Center-record 40 points Tuesday to lead Xavier University of Louisiana to a 100-53 Red River Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Texas College.
        The Gold Rush, 11-2 overall and 10-1 in the RRAC, will take an 11-game win streak to San Antonio, Texas, for RRAC games at Texas A&M-San Antonio Thursday and Our Lady of the Lake Saturday.
        Weathers, whose nickname is Pop, was 12-of-21 from the floor, 4-of-8 on 3-pointers and 12-of-14 from the line in 29 minutes. His 22 first-half points led XULA to a 51-30 advantage at the break.
        "Mind blown," said Weathers, who entered as XULA's No. 3 scorer with 13.3 points per game. "I never thought I would score 40 in a college game. I'm thankful for my teammates always having my back. I'm thankful to be able to play in a wonderful city."
        Leon Smith had 13 points and four steals for the Gold Rush, and J'Quan Ewing and Lance Williams scored 10 points apiece. Ewing and Seviuhn Turner grabbed 10 rebounds apiece, and Turner blocked three shots.
        Tyren Thomas had 18 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots for the Steers (5-9, 4-8).
        Weathers broke the facility record of 38 points by XULA's Rayshawn Mart against Tougaloo on Jan. 28, 2021, and Weathers became the first Gold Rush 40-point performer since Juan Mercier's 41 at Belhaven on Feb. 14, 1987. Ken Broussard set the Gold Rush game record of 49 points at Stillman on Jan. 12, 1968.
        The 11-game win streak is the longest for the Gold Rush in 14 seasons.
        "We're a deep team, we're defensive minded, and we play for each other," Weathers said. "I can have a had game, and a teammate will step up to carry the load."
        XULA remained in a loss-column tie for first in the Red River with LSU-Alexandria (15-1, 12-1), which won 77-72 at home against Texas A&M-Texarkana. XULA is the only team to beat LSUA this season.