Xavier beats William Carey 72-47, advances to first NAIA Sweet 16 in program history

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – Xavier entered the Round of 32 as a sixth seed, and although the Gold Nuggets were the home team, XULA faced a higher seeded Crusaders team. William Carey earned a number three ranking in the NAIA Tournament, but the only number of importance Saturday afternoon was the scoreboard.

William Carey’s first, and only, lead of the game was at the 9:12 mark of the first quarter: Shaneal Corpuz’s midrange jumper gave the Crusaders a 2-0 lead, but the Gold Nuggets went on a 7-0 run before William Carey could respond. Xavier ended the first up 16-10.

XULA began to dominate the game in the second quarter. The Gold Nuggets outscored the Crusaders 21-5, and Xavier had Joy Campbell to thank. The graduate guard scored six of her game-high 17 points in the period.

“This moment is just surreal. I personally have never really won anything collegiately. To have a trophy, and to get the net and to have the banner, it’s really a surreal feeling,” Campbell said.

Xavier’s defensive dominance in the second quarter was the deciding factor. William Carey responded with 21 points in third, but the Crusaders could never recover from its five-point period.

“They are trusting the process, and we’re on the rise right now. I’m praying that the belief is really starting to set in,” Nuggets head coach Bo Browder said.

Xavier beat William Carey 72-47 and will advance to the NAIA Sweet 16 for the first time in program history. The Gold Nuggets 25-point win also marked the team’s 29th victory this season, tying the program record for most wins in a single-season.

XULA will head to Sioux City, Iowa, for its next game.

Click the video above from highlights from the win and to hear from Campbell and Browder.

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