Gold Rush use late streak to pull away from Panthers

Gold Rush use late streak to pull away from Panthers
Ed "Yahoo" Cassiere
NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana scored on 12 consecutive possessions during the closing minutes to pull away for a 68-57 men's basketball victory Saturday against Philander Smith. The Gold Rush (5-0), ranked 20th in NAIA Division I, completed a homecoming doubleheader sweep of Philander Smith (0-8). Michael Harvey scored 16 points and Devin Andrew 12 for Xavier, and the senior guards combined for 11 points during a late 16-0 run that clinched XU's ninth consecutive regular-season victory. The Panthers never led but tied the score at 39 with 10:53 remaining on Chris Taylor's 3-pointer -- his only points of the game -- and trailed 42-41 after William Ramos' basket at 8:56. But the Rush were unstoppable during the next 7½ minutes. Six players scored for XU, which also benefitted from six offensive rebounds. Harvey's 3-pointer -- Xavier's only trey of the second half -- followed three offensive rebounds and gave Xavier a 58-44 lead with 4:06 remaining. Harvey added a free throw at 1:28 to give XU its biggest lead, 66-47. Brandon Bell scored 18 points, including five 3-pointers, and Kelby Robinson scored all 12 of his points in the second half for Philander Smith. Harvey scored 10 first-half points to help Xavier take a 30-25 lead at the break. The Rush, shooting 52.7 percent from the floor entering the game, shot a season-low 42.6 percent. But the Panthers shot 28.2 percent and were outrebounded 53-37. Harvey, Andrew and Cordell Hadnot grabbed seven rebounds apiece to lead Xavier. Philander Smith made 11 3-pointers in 38 attempts and scored its final trey when Ramos banked in a 65-foot overhand heave at the buzzer. This is the fifth time that Xavier is 5-0 during Dannton Jackson's eight seasons as head coach, but it's the first time since 1974-75 that the Rush started with five straight double-digit victories. Xavier's next game will start at 6 p.m. Monday against Wiley at The Barn. Philander Smith will remain in New Orleans and visit Dillard at 7 p.m. Monday.