Gold Nuggets climb to 27th in national poll
December 14, 2009

     NEW ORLEANS — Fewer points but a higher position. That sums up Xavier University of Louisiana's standing in the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll announced Monday.
     Xavier, for the third time in as many polls this season, is among the "others receiving votes." The Gold Nuggets received 36 points, 14 fewer than a week ago. But Xavier climbed one spot to 27th place, its highest position since holding that same spot in the Jan. 12, 2009, poll.
     Statistically the Nuggets are doing even better. Through Sunday's games they're in the top 10 of NAIA D-I in eight team categories, including third with 20.9 assists per game and third in 3-point field-goal percentage defense at .246. Two Xavier sophomore guards are in the top 10 — Marchelle Jones is fourth with 3.9 steals per game, and Jasmine Grant is shooting 50 percent from 3-point range (17-of-34) to tie for sixth.
     The Nuggets are 6-1 and haven't played since a 69-66 home loss to Langston in the Xavier Classic on Nov. 27. They'll resume their schedule after Christmas with three games in the Surf City Classic at Irvine, Calif. The next game will start at 6 p.m. PST (8 p.m. New Orleans time) on Dec. 28 against the host, Concordia.