Undefeated Xavier (La.) gets past Rams

NEW ORLEANS – The Huston-Tillotson University women's basketball team were unable to accomplish the same feat 17 previous opponents also failed to do: Hand NAIA-ranked Xavier (La.) their first loss of the season.
 
The No. 21-ranked Gold Nuggets improved their season record to 18-0 with an 85-53 win over visiting Huston-Tillotson. Xavier jumped out to a 12-1 lead and never looked back as the Gold Nuggets maintained their place atop the Red River Athletic Conference standings with a 15-0 league record.
 
HT's Tyaija Coleman scored a season-high 17 points for the Rams (8-9, 7-7 RRAC). The senior from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex shot 4-of-9 from the floor and made eight out of 10 free throw attempts. She also pulled in seven rebounds, six of them on the offensive end of the floor.
 
Summer Thomas scored 11 points and secured seven rebounds for the Rams, while Wilashia Burleson and Aliyah Carter chipped in nine points apiece; Burleson also blocked three shots.
 
Zaria Harleaux scored a game-high 20 points for Xavier, while her teammate Joy Campbell added 19 points and 10 assists.
 
The Rams stayed within 10 points of their hosts over the first four minutes of the second quarter before a 12-0 Xavier run gave the Gold Nuggets a 36-15 lead with less than three minutes to play in the period.
 
Though Xavier committed only three fewer turnovers than HT's 26, the Gold Nuggets enjoyed a 30-11 advantage in points off turnovers. The Nuggets shot 46.8 percent (29 of 62) from the floor, while the Rams shot 27.1 percent (16 of 59).
 
The Rams return to action Saturday, Jan. 18, when they visit Louisiana Christian in Pineville, La. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
– HT –