NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana State University of Alexandria women's basketball team dropped its first Red River Athletic Conference game of the season, 85-80, to Xavier University of Louisiana.
 
"We put up a good fight tonight," LSUA Head Coach Billy Perkins said. "I'm proud of our effort."
 
Jewel Jones led the Generals (6-2, 3-1 RRAC) with 24 points. She finished 6-for-11 from the field, including a 6-for-8 mark from deep. Benedetta Peracchi recorded 18 points, while Reese Stephens came off the bench for 10. Peracchi led LSUA with eight rebounds, while Amani Gray and Blair Smith each hauled in seven. The Generals recorded 16 second chance points, 10 points off turnovers, and the bench chipped in 18 points.
 
After falling behind by seven, 21-14, through the first quarter, LSUA outscored the Gold Nuggets 18-16 in the second period. They went into the locker room for half time trailing 37-32.
 
A 5-0 run midway through the third quarter tied the game at 42-42, thanks to five consecutive free throws from Jones. After back-to-back buckets from XULA, the Generals returned the favor with baskets from Peracchi and Gray. Another layup from Peracchi gave LSUA their first lead of the contest, 48-46. The Generals and Gold Nuggets traded points for the remainder of the third, with the Gold Nuggets getting the last basket, sending the game to the final stanza even at 54-54.
 
Jones knocked down a three for the fourth's first bucket and a 57-54 lead. Trading jumpers, the Gold Nuggets managed to tie the game at 61-61 with a three.
 
The Generals put together an 8-3 run for their largest lead of the game, 69-64. Traeshira Harry, Stephens, and Gray knocked down jumpers over the run. Stephens and Gray each added a free throw.
 
A quick 7-2 run for XULA brought the game even once more, 71-71. The Gold Nuggets added a 7-0 run, staking out a 78-71 advantage with 1:52 remaining. A flurry of threes from Jones and Dannah Martin-Hartwick over the next 1:20 closed the deficit to one, 81-80, but XULA hung on for the 85-80 victory.
 
LSUA is back at home on Monday, December 2, for another RRAC meeting. They host Louisiana Christian University at 5:30 PM in The Fort.