PINEVILLE, La. — Xavier University of Louisiana built a 17-point lead Saturday, then hung on for a 61-58 Red River Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Louisiana Christian.
        The Wildcats missed three shots on the final possession, including a left-corner 3 as time expired.
        It was the fourth consecutive victory for the Gold Rush (15-5 overall, 14-4 RRAC). James Weathers had 13 points and five assists for XULA, and Lance Williams scored 11. Four from XULA scored eight points apiece, including freshman Wayne Randall-Bashay, whose basket in the 25th minute gave the Gold Rush a 46-29 lead.
        Devin Carter scored 17 points and Bryce Weinmunson 12 for Louisiana Christian (10-12, 9-9), which lost to XULA for the second time in three days. Through Wednesday Carter averaged 20.6 points per game to rank first in the Red River and 21st in the NAIA. But the Gold Rush limited Carter to 15 points per game and 10-of-35 (28.6 percent) from the floor.
        The Gold Rush will play Jarvis Christian at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in XULA's Convocation Center. It will be a doubleheader; the XULA women — 20-1 and ranked 18th in the NAIA — will play Jarvis at 5:30.