HOBBS, N.M - The Gold Rush went a perfect 2-0 this week in their RRAC conference road trip. After downing UNT-Dallas Thursday night, Xavier used a strong second half to log a 90-81 win over the Southwest Mustangs. 

XULA (5-3, 2-1 RRAC) trailed by two at halftime, 37-35, but posted 55 second-half points to overcome the slight deficit. 

While offense certainly was a key in the win, a hidden factor was an opportunistic Gold Rush defense, which forced the Mustangs (4-7, 1-4 RRAC) into 24 turnovers. Xavier, by contrast, committed just 5 turnovers on the night. 

Five XULA men scored in double figures on the night. Nasir DeGruy led the way with 17, while Jama Gibson added 12, and the trio of Elijah Pichon, Wayne Randall-Bashay, and Seviuhn Turner scored 11 apiece. 

D-Ron McZeal and Elijah Tate scored 8 and 7 points, respectively. Gibson was XULA's top rebounder with 8. 

The Gold Rush return home for their next game, a Dec. 18 Red River Athletic Conference showdown with Our Lady of the Lake. Tipoff will be at 7:30 p.m. XULA will follow with a 3 p.m. RRAC contest against Texas A&M San Antonio on Dec. 20. 

Live video for both games will be available at the Xavier Athletics YouTube channel.