NEW ORLEANS -  XULA's women's basketball team suffered a close loss to the University of Mobile Tuesday night, falling 59-53 to the Rams. 

The Gold Nuggets (3-2) struggled on the offensive end, shooting 29.5 percent from the field, 23.1 percent from 3-point range, and 50 percent at the free-throw line. 

Mobile (2-5) had its offensive issues, too, connecting on 36.5 percent of its shots from the field, 20 percent from 3-point range, and 47.6 percent from the field. 

As the final score suggests, the teams played a close contest through much of the game. However, Mobile's 16-7 run in the second quarter gave the Rams a lead that the Gold Nuggets could never quite erase. 

There were some bright spots for XULA in the loss. 

Tiara Tillison led the team with 13 points, while Alicia Blanton scored 12 points and collected 8 rebounds. 

The Gold Nuggets have a one-week break before their next game, which will take place at 1 p.m. on Nov. 26 in Stafford, Texas, where Xavier will face North American in the Red River Athletic Conference opener.