Paul Quinn College Falls to Xavier University of Louisiana in Hard-Fought Basketball Matchup

First Half Recap

Xavier (9-2, 8-1 RRAC) started the game aggressively, building a seven-point lead by halftime. Paul Quinn (2-11, 2-8 RRAC) struggled to contain Xavier's rebounding efforts, as the Gold Rush outrebounded them 24-8 on the offensive glass in the first half. Despite Xavier's poor shooting performance from beyond the arc (45.5%), their ability to capitalize on second-chance points (24 for the game) kept them ahead.

Leading Xavier's first-half efforts was Lance Williams, who showed an impressive offensive arsenal. His relentless drives to the basket and timely three-point shooting contributed to his team-high 21 points.

Paul Quinn's Norris Williams kept his team competitive, scoring 23 points. His sharpshooting from three (3-of-7) and ability to create offense under pressure made him a standout performer for the Tigers.

Second Half Breakdown

The second half saw Xavier extend their lead with improved shooting and stifling defense. James Weathers orchestrated the offense masterfully, adding 14 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Meanwhile, Leon Smith came off the bench to provide a significant spark with 18 points, making an impressive 6-of-9 from the field and 6-of-9 from the free-throw line.

Paul Quinn managed to keep the deficit manageable at times, thanks to Derrick Miller's efficiency off the bench (12 points, 5-of-6 FG) and the hustle of Julian Spotser, who contributed 8 rebounds. However, turnovers proved costly for the Tigers, as Xavier capitalized on 17 Paul Quinn miscues, converting them into 28 points.

Key Stats

• Rebounds: Xavier dominated the boards with 44 total rebounds, including 24 offensive, compared to Paul Quinn's 34 total rebounds.
• Turnovers: Paul Quinn's 17 turnovers allowed Xavier to control the tempo and capitalize on extra possessions.
• Bench Production: Xavier's depth was evident, as their bench outscored Paul Quinn's reserves 26-19.
• Second-chance Points: Xavier's ability to crash the boards resulted in 24 second-chance points, a crucial factor in the game.

Takeaways

Paul Quinn displayed moments of resilience, with Norris Williams and Derrick Miller stepping up offensively. However, the Tigers struggled to match Xavier's physicality in the paint and clean up turnovers. Xavier's rebounding dominance and balanced scoring attack ultimately proved too much for Paul Quinn to overcome.

Up Next

Paul Quinn will look to regroup as they continue their conference schedule, aiming to improve their record in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, with this commanding performance, Xavier solidifies its position as a top contender in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.

The game underscored both teams' potential and the importance of fundamentals like rebounding and ball security in securing victories.