Jan. 20, 2005

Xavier defeats Mobile in battle for top spot in GCAC

NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Heading into Thursday evening’s much anticipated match-up between No. 8 Xavier University and No. 16 University of Mobile, there were two very important things at stake.

First, supremacy in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference as both teams entered the game undefeated so far through five conference games.

Secondly was a 30-game home winning streak Xavier carried into that night’s contest that dated back to the 2002-03 basketball season.

There’s a reason it’s difficult to play at the Barn and the Gold Nuggets (17-1, 6-0) proved exactly why defeating Mobile (14-4, 5-1) 67-61 Thursday night in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Trailing by as many as 17 points in the second half, 46-29, Mobile finally showed why they had previously been unbeaten in conference play as they rallied to pull within four points at 53-49 on a lay-up by Crystal Coston with 8:10 remaining in the game.

With two and a half minutes remaining, it was Coston again who would get the Rams as close as they would come at 60-57 on another lay-up inside the paint. However, a driving basket by Victoria Lee through the heart of the Mobile defense ended any Rams hope of a comeback.

Free throw shooting plagued the Rams as they connected on just 11-of-26 attempts for a disappointing 42.3 percent. Xavier, on the other hand, knocked down 20-of-26 for 76.9 percent including 16-of-20 in the second half as Xavier was able to hold on and retain possession of first place in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.

After a back-and-forth first ten minutes of the game, Xavier pulled away on a 4-0 run to go ahead 19-15 at the 10:10 mark of the first half.

Coston, who scored 10 points in the first half, would make a lay-up at the 9:50 mark to pull the Rams within 19-17 but it was as close as they would be the rest of the half.

Xavier went on 9-2 run to go ahead 28-19, their biggest lead of the half, with just 6:14 to play in the opening half.

A free throw by King Rybarczyk (nine first half points) would get the Rams back within four points at 32-28, however, the Gold Nuggets would score the final five points of the half to take a nine point advantage to the locker room.

Coston led the Rams with 22 points and 12 rebounds and Rybarczyk chipped in with 17 points and 12 rebounds of her own. Rheonda Leary, who scored 11 points, was the only other Rams in double figures.
Jarryn Cleaves led Xavier with 14 points.

Mobile will next be in action on Saturday night against Tougaloo College at home in Pharr Gymnasium. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.

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