Dillard Falls to XULA in Crosstown Classic

NEW ORLEANS– On November 8, 2025, Xavier University of Louisiana showcased a spectacular second-half surge to secure an 88-68 victory over Dillard University in a thrilling basketball matchup held at the Xavier campus. The game, attended by a lively crowd of 3,400, saw Xavier bouncing back from an early deficit to emerge victorious, improving their record to 1-2 for the season, while Dillard fell to 3-2.

The first half of the game was a closely contested affair, with Dillard taking a narrow 30-25 lead into the break. Dillard's John Kelly III led the charge, contributing 15 points and showing impressive accuracy by making 6 of his 11 field goal attempts. Despite the scoring efforts of Kelly, the team struggled with their shooting, recording a field goal percentage of just 33.9%.

Xavier had a challenging start as well, shooting only 45.5% from the field in the first half. Bentravin Phillips was a standout performer for Xavier, scoring 25 points overall, including four crucial three-pointers that kept Xavier within striking distance.

The second half belonged entirely to Xavier, who outscored Dillard 63-38. The home team found their rhythm offensively, with a collective shooting effort that saw them finish the game with a 45.5% field goal percentage. Xavier's defensive intensity also ramped up, forcing Dillard into 22 turnovers throughout the contest.

Xavier's bench made a significant impact, contributing crucial points and energy. Kerel Dean added 12 points while Leon Williams provided hustle on both ends of the court, securing 9 rebounds. Seviuhn Turner also played a vital role, finishing with 14 points and contributing to Xavier's defensive efforts with three steals and two blocks.

- Xavier out-rebounded Dillard 50-37, with Kaleb Huggins leading with 9 rebounds.
- Dillard capitalized on their free-throw opportunities, shooting 71.9% from the line compared to Xavier's 67.7%.
- The game featured just one technical foul, assessed to Xavier's Elijah Tate.

Dillard, despite a promising start, will look to regroup and address the issues that led to their second-half collapse as they move forward in their campaign.

-Bleu Devils-