Nationally Ranked Gold Nuggets Overpower Eagles Despite Strong First Half

NEW ORLEANS, La. - The Eagles traveled to New Orleans to take on the undefeated, nationally ranked, Gold Nuggets of Xavier University of Louisiana in an RRAC matchup tonight at the Convocation Center on the XULA campus. The Gold Nuggets would defeat the Eagles 67-43 at the conclusion of the 40 minutes. 

In the first half, the Eagles would play the nationally ranked Gold Nuggets closely, being outscored in the first quarter 19-17, but outscoring XULA in the second 13-11. Senior Kayla Williams would help keep the Eagles within a possession of the Gold Nuggets by scoring 6 of their 17 points, on 3 of 4 shooting from the floor. Junior Evelyn Terraza Alcantar would also contribute to the Eagles effective start in the first quarter, with 5 points and going 1 of 1 from beyond the arc. 

The Eagles would quickly even the score at the beginning of the second quarter with a jumper from Williams. XULA would respond with a three-pointer giving them the edge once more with nine minutes left in the quarter. The Gold Nuggets would hold onto the lead for the vast majority of the second quarter, but a made jump shot by freshman Chioma Treasure Emeh would be the final basket of the quarter, and be enough to send the two teams into the half tied at 30 points each.  

A cold second half by the Eagles would allow the Gold Nuggets to build a lead too large for the Eagles to overcome. The Eagles inability to connect on shots would lead to them only scoring 13 points in both the third and fourth quarters combined. TAMUT shot only 16% from the field and went 0-5 from beyond the arc in the second half. 

Kayla Williams would be the leading scorer and rebounder for the Eagles with 10 points and 8 boards, Williams currently averages 13 ppg and 7.9 rpg. Evelyn Terraza Alcantar would score 7 of her own, and Chioma Treasure Emeh and Allison Owens would both add 6 points for the Eagles. 

Women's Basketball falls to 1-11 overall and 1-7 in conference play. They will be back in action this Saturday against the Wildcats of Louisiana Christian at Holy Savior Menard High School in Alexandria, Louisiana. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00pm