Gold Nuggets open trip with win at Webber International
Ed Cassiere December 26, 2010

BABSON PARK, Fla. -- Christina Warren scored 14 points Thursday to lead NAIA No. 15 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 68-60 women's basketball victory over Webber International.

The Gold Nuggets (11-2), in the first of three road games in as many days, took the lead for good at 22-20 on Marchelle Jones' basket with 9:29 remaining in the first half. Xavier led 36-29 at halftime, then pulled away for good with a 12-4 run after Webber International (1-4) cut the margin to two points early in the second half.

Warren's basket with 4:22 remaining gave Xavier its biggest lead, 60-44.

Jazmoné Kelly scored 11 points for the Gold Nuggets, who are 5-1 on the road this season and have won 32 of their last 35 games overall. Keldra Hall had 10 points and nine rebounds.

Nikki King recorded her fourth straight double-double for Webber International, 17 points and a season-high 20 rebounds. Chelsea Shipman also had a double-double for the Lady Warriors, grabbing 11 rebounds and scoring a season-high 12 points.

Webber International outshot Xavier 47-32 percent from the floor, but the Gold Nuggets gained 34 turnovers, 18 more than they committed, and grabbed a season-high 28 offensive rebounds. Xavier failed to make a 3-pointer for the second straight game but had advantages of 30-10 in points off turnovers, 15-6 in second-chance points and 28-15 in bench points.

Webber International lost its third straight and is 0-4 at home this season.

Xavier will travel to Lakeland, Fla., to play Southeastern University (2-5) at 1 p.m. EST Friday. The Gold Nuggets will return to Babson Park to play unbeaten and 13th-ranked William Woods at 2 p.m. Saturday.