Gold Nuggets on target in 77-52 win against Wolfpack
January 15, 2011

Box score

     NEW ORLEANS — Jazmoné Kelly had a season-high 17 points and a career-high seven assists Saturday, leading four Xavier University of Louisiana players in double figures in a 77-52 women's basketball victory against city rival Loyola.
     The Gold Nuggets (16-4), ranked 17th in NAIA Division I, shot a season-high 53.3 percent from the floor and committed a season-low 11 turnovers. It was Xavier's best accuracy since a quarterfinal home victory against Tougaloo in the 2009 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.
     "Our shooting had tailed off since late November," Xavier Coach Bo Browder said. "Our players made a recent commitment to work on improving their shooting, and it showed today."
     Keldra Hall scored 13 points, Marchelle Jones 12 and Christina Warren 10 for Xavier, which took the lead for good 38 seconds into the game. The Gold Nuggets led 38-22 at halftime — Kelly scored 11 in the first half — and maintained at least a 20-point advantage for the final 15:56.
     Jones also had seven assists, and Christina Warren had eight rebounds.
     Freshman Jasmine Brewer scored 24 points and grabbed a career-best 11 rebounds for Loyola (12-5), which received votes in the national poll this week. Keiva Council scored 11.
     Loyola shot 28.3 percent from the floor — 1-of-15 on 3-pointers — but made 25-of-28 free throws.
     Xavier won its sixth straight at The Barn and is 15-0 at home all-time against Loyola. The Gold Nuggets lead the series 28-5.
     Xavier's next game will be its GCAC opener at 5 p.m. Saturday against Tougaloo at The Barn.