Monday, January 26, 2015

Nuggets win at Voorhees in 3rd straight road victory

DENMARK, South Carolina -- Alesha Smith's career-high 15 points and Vinnie Briggs' 14 points and 10 rebounds carried Xavier University of Louisiana to a 73-59 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory Monday against Voorhees.

The Gold Nuggets (12-10, 5-1) won for the fourth time in five games and earned their third consecutive road victory.

Smith also had two assists, two steals and no turnovers in her second consecutive career-high scoring performance. Briggs recorded her team-leading second double-double and Xavier's fourth of the season.

Donyeah Mayfield had eight points and nine rebounds for the Gold Nuggets, and Daylin Boatner scored eight. Kelsey Joseph had a career-high six steals, four in the first half.

Xavier trailed 12-4 through five minutes before taking control with a 19-7 run. The Gold Nuggets led 39-32 at halftime.

Keosha Hardaway had 21 points and eight rebounds for Voorhees (4-13, 0-5), and Kritofia Smart scored 12.

Voorhees outshot Xavier 39.1 to 35.1 percent from the floor. The Gold Nuggets outrebounded the Lady Tigers 43-40 and gained 26 turnovers, 15 by steals. Xavier committed one first-half turnover and finished with a season-best-tying seven.

Both teams struggled at the line despite plenty of opportunities. Xavier made 16-of-34 free throws -- a season-worst 47.1 percent -- and Voorhees made 21-of-34.

It was Xavier's seventh double-digit victory of the season and their third in conference. The Gold Nuggets climbed two victories above .500 for the first time since Dec. 17.

Xavier will visit city rival Dillard at 3 p.m. Saturday. The next XU home game will start at 5:30 p.m. next Monday against Edward Waters.

Box score

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

No comments: