NEW ORLEANS - Xavier's men's basketball team used double-figure scoring nights from four players to set up a comfortable, 68-58 win over North Texas-Dallas in the opening round of the Red River Athletic Conference tournament. 

The Gold Rush, seeded third in the tournament, outscored the six-seeded Traillblazers (11-16) by 8 in the first half, 43-35, and by 2 in the second. 

Along the way, starters Nasir DeGruy, Bentravin Phillips, and Seviuhn Turner, as well as reserve player Kerel Dean, put up strong offensive nights. 

DeGruy and Dean shared the team-high with 14 points, with DeGruy adding 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals and Dean grabbing 3 rebounds and blocking a shot. 

Phillips, ever capable of filling up the stat sheet, scored 10 points, pulled 3 rebounds, dished out 4 assists, and swiped 1 steal, while Turner posted 10 points and a team-high 7 rebounds. 

Wednesday night's win also put Xavier over the 20-win mark for year, and the Gold Rush enter their next contest with an overall record of 20-9. 

With its victory, XULA earned a berth in the RRAC semifinals, where a rematch with the 2-seed LSU-Alexandria Generals awaits. 

The semifinal game, which will take place at Alexandria's Laborde Earles Coliseum, formerly the Rapides Parish Coliseum, is scheduled for Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Antler Sports Network.