Saints Fall Short in Overtime Versus Xavier

SAN ANTONIO (Dec. 16, 2022) – The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) men's basketball team lost in overtime to Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) on Thursday. The Saints drop to 6-6 overall and 3-3 in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC). Xavier improves to 6-3 overall and 2-1 in the RRAC.

History

The Saints lost the only previous meeting against the Gold Nuggets.

Basics

Both teams struggled shooting in the first half. Ellis Jones and Ruben Monzon had six points each for the Saints and Jones totaled three rebounds. Georges Darwiche assisted on three plays. The Saints led at halftime 25-22 and forced 10 turnovers by the Gold Nuggets.

The second half had multiple lead changes. The contest was tied 57-57 with under two minutes remaining late in the second frame. The teams swapped layups and OLLU took a timeout with 26 seconds left. Jones missed a jump shot and Xavier followed with a failed three-point attempt as regulation ended.

Xavier started strong in the five-minute overtime period. They grew their lead to five points with three minutes remaining. OLLU cut the lead to one point with a Tommie Law layup and two free throws by Jones. The Saints took the lead after a pair of free throws by Daniel Helterhoff. The Gold Nuggets responded with a jump shot and Helterhoff missed a layup. The Saints were forced to foul, and Xavier hit one free throw. The Saints lost 67-66 in a tightly contested conference battle.   

Offensive/defensive standouts

Helterhoff led the Saints with 18 points. Oscar Maldonado grabbed a team-high six rebounds. Darwiche led the team with four assists.

Cory Wells led Xavier with 16 points. Xavier Reaves grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. TJ Jones finished with two assists.

Inside the box

OLLU combined for 24-of-47 shooting for 51.1 percent, 3-of-12 from three-point range for 25 percent and 15-of-18 from the free-throw line for 83.3 percent. Xavier shot 24-of-53 for 45.3 percent, 5-of-18 three pointers for 27.8 percent and 14-of-26 from the free-throw line for 53.8 percent.

The Saints grabbed 27 rebounds while Xavier collected 32. Both teams committed 17 turnovers.

Postgame interview

Hear from Head Coach Chris Dial and watch highlights.

Up next

The Saints battle Louisiana Christian University at home on Dec. 17 at 4 p.m.