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    XAVIER UNIVERSITY

Pictured from left: Seviuhn Turner, Wayne Randall-Bashay, Kerel Dean, and Bentravin Phillips. Photos courtesy of XULA Sports.
Pictured from left: Seviuhn Turner, Wayne Randall-Bashay, Kerel Dean, and Bentravin Phillips. Photos courtesy of XULA Sports.
Posted: Mar 13, 2026

RRAC's Xavier ends the 2026 season with a loss to William Carey in the NAIA first round

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. (March 13, 2026) – No. 17 Xavier University of Louisiana fell 88-87 to No. 5 William-Carey University (Miss.) in the NAIA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament first round. The Gold Rush finished 20-11, while the Crusaders advance to the Williamsburg Bracket Championship (second round) on March 14.
 
William Carey started the game with a 10-0 run through the 17:07 mark until XULA's Leon Williams broke the drought with a three-pointer. After facing a 10-3 deficit, XULA managed only a field goal and another three by the 15th minute, while the Crusaders pushed ahead 17-8. Strong plays from Williams and Wayne Randall-Bashay brought the Gold Rush within five at 19-25 with less than 10 minutes left in the half. However, William Carey quickly regained a double-digit 34-23 lead at 6:15. Six straight missed threes by XULA let the Crusaders maintain their advantage. Kerel Dean's three-pointer trimmed the gap to nine, and Bentravin Phillips' layup narrowed it to seven, with the half ending at 47-40.
 
XULA increased its intensity in the second period, keeping the deficit to three at 51-48 with 15:57 left. Phillips and Williams contributed on both ends, leading the Gold Rush to a 51-51 tie. With under 14 minutes remaining, XULA took its first lead. The Gold Rush built a nine-point advantage before Malik Franklin hit a three for the Crusaders, and Anthony Robinson quickly responded with a layup, trimming XULA's lead to three. XULA kept going, though William Carey remained relentless late in the half. Holding an 86-81 lead with just over a minute left, XULA watched Robinson score back-to-back layups to close the gap to two. After a timeout, William Carey's Troy Dunn made a three-pointer with 13 seconds left to reclaim the lead and seal the 88-87 win.
 
Individual leaders
 
Four XULA players scored in double figures: Bentravin Phillips scored 16 and Leon Williams added 14. Off the bench, Wayne Randall-Bashay scored 16, Seviuhn Turner had 14, and Kerel Dean scored 10.
 
William Carey's four starters scored in double digits: Randarius Hughes tallied 18 points and 10 rebounds; Jamar Jenkins scored 15; Anthony Robinson, 14; and Makeem Roberts, 11. Malik Franklin added 15 off the bench.
 
Team stats
 
XULA shot 58.6 percent from the field, 39.1 percent on threes, and 62.5 percent from the free-throw line, with 27 rebounds, 14 assists, and 11 steals.
 
William Carey totaled 46.0 percent from the field, 40.7 percent from three-point range, and 76.0 percent from the free-throw line. The Crusaders added 32 rebounds, 13 assists, and 11 steals.
 
What's next
William Carey will face No. 4 University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) in the Williamsburg title game. The winner advances to the 88th Annual Men's Basketball National Championship on March 19 in Kansas City, Mo.