Women's Basketball Opens Conference Play in Loss to Xavier

NEW ORLEANS (Nov. 14, 2024) – The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) women's basketball team fell short against Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) 61-54 on Thursday night. The Saints move to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC). The Gold Nuggets jump to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in conference. 

Head Coach Tanya Ray commented, "Tonight was a tough game. I felt like our effort and energy was there for the most part. We made some key mental mistakes down the stretch and they were able to capitalize on it."

History

The Saints were 5-7 against the Gold Nuggets prior to the game.

Basics

The Saints started strong by scoring 16 points in the first quarter. The defense limited the Gold Nuggets to 10 points and created four turnovers. Julia Plata put up 10 points in the frame and Alexandra Westerdijk Martin had four rebounds. The Saints continued to shoot well in the second quarter by marking 54.5 percent from the field. The Gold Nuggets forced seven turnovers by OLLU, but the Saints led at halftime 30-26. 

Xavier's offense scored 19 points in the third quarter. The Saints shot 50 percent from the field but hit only 1-of-6 three pointers. Desiree Rogers had five points in the quarter but the Saints turned the ball over nine times. The contest entered the fourth quarter tied 45-45. The Gold Nuggets jumped out to a seven-point lead with two minutes remaining in the game. The Saints were unable to complete a comeback and lost by seven points. 

Offensive/defensive standouts

Plata led the Saints with 16 points. Westerdijk Martin grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds. Isabella Jaramillo had six assists.

Kam Shelley led Xavier with 13 points. Zaria Harleaux and Lauren Banks had eight rebounds apiece. Joy Campbell led the squad with seven assists.

Inside the box

OLLU combined for 22-of-49 shooting for 44.9 percent, 5-of-19 from three-point range for 26.3 percent and 5-of-9 from the free-throw line for 55.6 percent. XULA shot 20-of-63 for 31.7 percent, 4-of-15 three-pointers for 26.7 percent, and 17-of-25 from the free-throw line for 68 percent.

The Saints grabbed 34 rebounds, while XULA collected 40.

Up next

The Saints face Louisiana Christian University on Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. The game will be played at The Fort in Alexandria, La.