Okoroha's career-high 25 leads Rush in GCAC opener
January 3, 2008

Box Score

JACKSON, Miss. — Kelechi Okoroha scored a career-high 25 points Thursday to lead Xavier University of Louisiana to a 98-64 men's basketball victory over Belhaven in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener for both schools.

Olumide Olafioye scored 17 points, Shaun Dumas 11 and Mark Stewart 10 for Xavier (11-2), ranked 11th in the NAIA Division I coaches poll.

Okoroha and Olafioye combined to go 16-of-18 from the floor and 7-of-8 from the line. Okoroha scored 18 points in the second half and was 10-of-11 from the floor in the game.

Korey Whiting scored 18 points for Belhaven (8-5), which has a five-game losing streak. The Blazers have lost 18 of their past 21 meetings with the Gold Rush.

Xavier shot a season-high 65.4 percent from the floor and limited Belhaven to 35.7 percent. Xavier had a 40-29 rebound advantage, with Ryan DeRousselle grabbing a career-high six to lead the Gold Rush.

Olafioye scored 12 points to lead Xavier to a 52-25 halftime advantage.

It was the second most points scored by Xavier in a GCAC opener. The Gold Rush's next game will start at 7 p.m. Saturday at GCAC opponent Spring Hill.

Most points by Xavier's men in a GCAC opener
1992-93: Xavier 119, Tougaloo 73 (home)
2007-08: Xavier 98, Belhaven 64 (road)
2003-04: Xavier 98, LSU-Shreveport 86 (road)
1999-2000: Xavier 90, Talladega 75 (home)
1985-86: Xavier 87, Spring Hill 78 (road)