Elijah Wilson LSUS 25-26
Yamlak Tsega / XULA Athletics
Elijah Wilson
56
Xavier (LA) XULA 0-1
69
Winner Southern University at New Orleans (LA) SUNO 1-0
Xavier (LA) XULA
0-1
56
Final
69
Southern University at New Orleans (LA) SUNO
1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Xavier (LA) XULA 36 20 56
Southern University at New Orleans (LA) SUNO 38 31 69

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Gold Rush fall to SUNO in season opener

NEW ORLEANS - A rough second half cost the Gold Rush Saturday night, as the team fell 69-56 to in-city opponent SUNO in the 26-27 debut for both teams. 

It was the first night for a new-look Xavier team, and there were plenty of positives despite the loss. 

The Gold Rush showed their fighting spirit in the first half, erasing a 10-point deficit in the final 2:22 to go into the break down just 38-36. SUNO had led 35-25 when Jason Astorga Jr. and Leon Williams began to find the bottom of the net. 

A key player in this run was post player Jylan Howze, who blocked a shot and dished out two assists to keep up the momentum for XULA. 

Williams and Elijah Pichon, both of whom were listed as players to watch by the Southern States Athletic Conference last week, scored 10 points apiece in the first half. Astorga and Elijah Wilson added 5 points apiece. 

However, in the second half, SUNO, which was playing its homecoming game, outscored XULA 30-21 to pull away. 

Pichon and Williams led the team in scoring with 13 points apiece, with Williams adding a team-high 6 steals to go along with 4 rebounds and 2 assists, and Pichon a team-best 6 assists. 

Wilson, another returning player, was solid with 12 points, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 rebounds. Howze led the team with 7 rebounds. 

Next up for the Gold Rush is the 26-27 home opener, Wednesday at 7 p.m. against former Red River Athletic Conference opponent Texas College. It will be Pink Out Night at the Convocation Center, so come show your support for both Xavier Men's Basketball and cancer fighters and survivors, and those we've lost. 
 
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