Xavier University of Louisiana women’s basketball is going to the round of 16 of the NAIA Tournament for the first ever, extending a historic season that has seen them win 29 games—tying a team record.
The sixth-seeded Gold Nuggets upset the #3 William Carey Lady Crusaders handily at the XULA Convocation Center on Saturday, 72-47. The win featured a balanced effort from starters Joy Campbell, Kam Shelley, Janiya Reed, and Patricia Sosa Lora, all of whom scored in double digits.
The stingy defense of the Catholic HBCU held the Lady Crusaders’ top scorers Shaneal Corpuz and Kolten Blakeney to just 36% shooting, leading to a halftime lead of 37-15. William Carey shot just 27.6% from the floor overall and did not make a field goal in the second quarter.
After a slight speed bump following halftime, the Gold Nuggets never looked back.
XULA head coach Robert “Bo” Browder gave a simple analysis of the team’s strong showing at such a crucial moment.
“Great energy from our players for 40 minutes on both ends of the floor,” Browder told XULA Gold.
“They understood the game plan and executed it.”
We're going to Sioux — Gold Nuggets thump Carey, advance past 2nd round of NAIA nationals for 1st time
— XULA Athletics (@xulagold) March 16, 2025
story: https://t.co/44H4tKkpZq#TeamGold #HailAllHailXU #NAIAWBB #HBCU #XULA #XULACentennial pic.twitter.com/S7anHLgvE0
The win brings XULA once again to the precipice of history, following a masterful regular season that saw the team start by rattling off 18 straight wins—a first for the school’s men’s or women’s programs since 1941. By January, the team was ranked 18th nationally, remaining in the top 25 through the final poll of the season on Feb. 26.
The Gold Nuggets lost only two games before the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) tournament, falling by a combined three points to LSU-Shreveport on Jan. 28, and to Paul Quinn College on Feb. 13 in overtime.
XULA was defeated in the RRAC semifinals by LSU-Alexandria on March 1, which was apparently sufficient motivation for nationals. They defeated Southeastern University in the first round on March 14, before Saturday’s victory against William Carey that has brought the Gold Nuggets to the third round in Sioux City, Iowa.
William Carey had previously been on their own history-making journey, putting together an undefeated regular season that had them ranked #15 nationally in the final coaches poll—seven spots ahead of XULA.
The Gold Nuggets were previously 0-9 in the round of 32, most recently losing in 2021.
“Been waiting for this moment a long time,” said Coach Browder, who has led the team since 1998, including five second-round losses at nationals.
“It's a relief for me, but it's also a great milestone that these players and our staff can remember and enjoy forever.”
Next for XULA is a first-ever matchup against #2-seed Southern Oregon, which is undefeated on the season at 33-0. They will play at the Tyson Events Center on Thursday, March 20, at 3pm CT.
Tickets to the game can be purchased online, and a free livestream will be available on naia.org and in the NAIA Network app.
Nate Tinner-Williams is co-founder and editor of Black Catholic Messenger.
