Men's Basketball Outlasted by Xavier 99-72

NEW ORLEANS (Feb. 24, 2024) – The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) men's basketball squad struggled against a good offensive performance by Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) on Saturday. The Saints lost 99-72 to move to 13-14 overall and 10-11 in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC). The Gold Rush jump to 21-5 overall and 16-4 in the RRAC.

Head Coach Chris Dial said, "I give credit to Xavier as they were the better team in every way. This was a rough road trip for a lot of reasons. We have a great opportunity to get back home, regroup, and get back to the things that contribute to competing."

History

The Saints were 0-4 against the Gold Rush prior to the game.

Basics

The Saints shot 44.4 percent from three-point range in the first half, but the Gold Rush totaled 46 points on 50 percent shooting. Xavier drew 10 fouls in the half and forced seven turnovers by the Saints. Rob Gil had eight points at halftime for the Saints and added four assists. OLLU trailed by 14 points at the break.

OLLU's offense picked up in the second half, but Xavier continued to shoot well. The Saints went to line 17 times and hit 12 free throws. Xavier's offense from the three-point line was solid as they hit 8-of-11 attempts. They also shot 54.5 percent from the field and won by 27 points. Gil, Trey Law and Paul Minjoth finished with double-digit scoring.

Offensive/defensive standouts

Law and Gil led the Saints with 14 points apiece. Law also grabbed six rebounds. Gil tallied five assists.

Tracy Steele led XULA with 18 points. Corey Dunning had a team-high 10 rebounds. Lance Williams led the team with six assists.

Inside the box

OLLU combined for 24-of-61 shooting for 39.3 percent, 6-of-17 from three-point range for 35.3 percent and 18-of-26 from the free-throw line for 69.2 percent. XULA shot 37-of-71 for 52.1 percent, 11-of-24 three pointers for 45.8 percent and 14-of-23 from the free-throw line for 60.9 percent.

The Saints grabbed 34 rebounds while XULA collected 48. OLLU forced 12 turnovers and committed 14.  

Up next

The Saints host Huston-Tillotson University on Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m.