Gold Rush pull away to defeat Belhaven, improve to 21-2
February 2, 2011

Box score

     NEW ORLEANS — Cordell Hadnot had a season-best 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and Anthony Simmons added 11 points and 12 rebounds Wednesday to lead NAIA No. 11 Xavier University of Louisiana in a 71-52 victory over Belhaven.
     The Gold Rush (21-2) have won seven in a row since a 66-55 road loss to the Blazers (13-11) on Jan. 8. Xavier has won 18 straight at The Barn — the longest current home streak in Louisiana men's basketball — and 25 of its last 28 games overall.
     Xavier outscored Belhaven 39-24 in the second half after leading 32-28 at halftime.
     Kevin Miller had 11 points, six rebounds and no turnovers for Xavier, and Chris Iles had 10 points and seven assists.
     Rob Wallace led Belhaven with 16 points, and Nathaniel Roché scored 10. It was the first time in four games against Xavier that Roché did not record a double-double. Roché led the Blazers with seven rebounds, but Xavier had a 49-31 rebound advantage after being outrebounded 41-26 in the earlier meeting.
     Simmons' double-double was his third of the season and his first since Dec. 3.
     Belhaven closed to 46-44 when Brittion Smith scored and was fouled with 8:45 remaining. Smith missed the free throw, then Xavier outscored Belhaven 20-4 — including 12-of-16 free throws — during the next 7:10.
     Xavier outshot Belhaven 42 to 32 from the floor and dominated at the line, making 28-of-38 free throws to the Blazers' 9-of-19. The Gold Rush limited the Blazers to their fewest points in a game this season.
     Xavier's 21-2 start is its best since the 1981-82 Gold Rush started 22-1. Xavier is 36-1 in non-conference home games during the last four seasons and won the last 17 in a row.
     Xavier will travel to city, conference and HBCU rival Dillard for a 7 p.m. game Saturday.