Roché's double-double leads Blazers past Rush, 66-55
January 8, 2011

Box score

     JACKSON, Miss. — Nathaniel Roché had 17 points and 12 rebounds Saturday to lead Belhaven to a 66-55 men's basketball victory against NAIA No. 9 Xavier University of Louisiana.
     The Blazers (9-7) beat a ranked team at home for the first time in three tries this season and handed Xavier (14-2) its second loss in three games.
     Roché produced his seventh double-double of the season and his third straight against the Gold Rush, including two last season. The New Orleanian had 11 points and eight rebounds in the second half, and his basket with 8:53 remaining gave Belhaven its biggest lead, 54-41.
     Devin Andrew had 15 points, 11 in the second half, and was Xavier's only double-figure scorer. Wanto Joseph had a career-high eight assists, and Denzell Erves grabbed seven rebounds.
     Xavier never led in the first half but trailed by just 30-29 at halftime. Xavier led twice in the second half, the last time at 35-33 on an Erves basket with 18:15 remaining. Belhaven then scored the next 10 points and led by eight or more for the final 13 minutes.
     Detrick Johnson scored 12 points and Bobby Grier 10 for Belhaven.
     Xavier shot 37.3 percent from the floor and 56 percent from the line, both season lows. Belhaven shot 44.9 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Gold Rush 41-28. The Blazers have a three-game win streak against Xavier, their longest in a series which dates to the 1979-80 season. Xavier leads the series 43-13.
     The Gold Rush will play William Carey at 7:30 p.m. Monday at The Barn in the second game of a doubleheader between the schools.