NEW ORLEANS - The Gold Nuggets wrapped their four-game homestand in style here Tuesday night, defeating in-state rival LSU-Alexandria 69-58 in conference play. 

XULA (7-7, 5-4 RRAC) jumped out to a huge, 17-7 lead early in the game and never looked back, answering every challenge from the Generals (6-9, 5-5 RRAC). 

The win was also huge in Xavier's bid for the postseason. The Gold Nuggets, currently in eighth place, drew a game closer to the seventh-place LSU-A and sixth-place North American. 

Tuesday, the story was defense, as XULA forced the Generals into 30 turnovers, including 17 steals, which the Gold Nuggets turned into 25 points. 

Offensively, Xavier benefited from the efforts of Laila Sigure and Jala Williams. Sigure scored a team-high 18 points, to which she added 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a steal. 

Williams was good for 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, 3 steals, and 2 assists. 

Guard Tiarra Tillison added 7 points and a team-high 9 rebounds, while Alicia Blanton scored 7 points and pulled 8 boards off the bench. 

XULA will be on the road for its next four contests, all Red River Athletic Conference games. Next up is a Thursday visit to Hawkins, Texas, for a showdown with Jarvis Christian. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.