The Loyola women’s basketball team is gearing up to face Xavier University’s Gold Nuggets on Saturday, Jan. 15 at Xavier University. The Gold Nuggets are currently 15-4 and are set to open their conference schedule on Jan. 22. This is the first year that the Wolfpack and the Gold Nuggets are not in the same conference, but the rivalry is still the same.

“As a former conference opponent, it is always a good feeling to beat them,” said biology sophomore Libby Collyer. Xavier is currently tied for No. 17 in the NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Top 25 Poll and has beaten other top poll teams like Lee University and Langston University.

“Xavier has always been a big rival for us. In the past, they have always been one of the toughest teams we have faced in conference play. Even though they are no longer in our conference, the rivalry is still there because we are both NAIA teams from New Orleans who have experienced success in the past,” said psychology junior Amy Sprout.

The Wolfpack will have to keep an eye out for top scorers like junior guard Jasmine Grant and senior forward/guard Christina Warren. Grant averages 11.8 points per game and is 47 percent from 3-point land. Warren is close behind, averaging 10.7 points per game. Team center junior Keidra Hall helps out the Nuggets by grabbing an average of 7.5 rebounds per game. The Nuggets also have a history of winning on their home court. “Going into The Barn is always a hostile environment; it’s definitely going to be a tough game, so we are going to have to keep our heads and take care of the ball,” said Collyer. The Lady Wolfpack is 11-4 so far, and has also beaten ranked teams Lee University and Southern Polytechnic State, who is currently tied with Xavier University in the NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball Coaches Top 25 Poll. So far this season, junior guard and sociology major Keiva Council has led the Wolfpack with an average of 12.9 points per game and 4.2 assists per game. Senior forward and biology major Rachael Nolan is trailing close behind with an average of 12.4 points per game and 6.8 rebounds. “We have had a good season so far and have been very competitive. We are ready to face Xavier,” said Sprout. The Lady Wolfpack is set to take on the Gold Nuggets at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Michelle Gingras can be reached at [email protected]