NEW ORLEANS - Start strong and end strong is the adage, and in their 66-55 win over LSU-Alexandria in the opening round of the Red River Athletic Conference tournament, the XULA Gold Rush did just that. 

A strong first and fourth quarter, combined with solid play in the second and third as well as an incredible performance by the bench, was more than enough to send Xavier (19-10) to a semifinal matchup with LSU-Shreveport. 

XULA, playing at the 4-seed, outscored the fifth-seeded Generals 13-8 in the first quarter and 22-14 in the fourth. 

More importantly, though, the Xavier bench accounted for ?? points. LSU-A (14-14), by comparison, got just 4 points from its bench, and 2 of those came in the game's waning moments. 

As she has done for much of the season, Xavier sixth-woman Alicia Blanton provided a major spark. She posted her seventh double-double of the season with a game-high 14 points and jaw-dropping 18 rebounds. 

Tiarra Tillison added 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in the win, while Ryli Martin scored 9, Jala Williams 8, and Fatima Katembo 7.

The semifinal game, which will take place at Alexandria's Laborde Earles Coliseum, formerly the Rapides Parish Coliseum, is scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Antler Sports Network.