Mardi Gras Madness at the Crosstown Classic
- Astasia Williams
- Feb 18, 2016
- 2 min read
By Astasia Williams (SR/Baton Rouge, La.), Student Reporter
NEW ORLEANS - What's better than having a crosstown rivalry basketball game during the Mardi Gras Holiday? Well, I can name a couple things. But this game was well worth the watch.
Even though the infamous Endymion parade was rolling around the same time as tip-off, attendance was 1,768. Nice turnout, but it could've been better.
If you are from the south or familiar with the Bleu Devils or Gold Rush, then you know how intense the rivalry can be on and off the court. I pray that your house is not divided with a Dillardrite and a Xavierite.
The No. 21 ranked Bleu Devils showed a promising outcome in the first half. They held the Gold Rush scoreless five minutes into the game and led 16-4 eight minutes into the first half. The Gold Rush realized they weren't on Mardi Gras break just yet and eventually woke up. Heading into halftime, they were only down by four.
Unfortunately, Dillard could not hold on to the lead in the second half. When Xavier went on a run, they could not be stopped. Morris Wright was the leading scorer for the Gold Rush with 20 pts. As a team, Xavier finished 50 percent from the floor. The Bleu Devils finished 34.3 percent. On the bright side, Dillard grabbed 21 offensive rebounds and outrebounded the Gold Rush 41-31. But that's not enough. It doesn't help when your team isn't making shots and Xavier is having their own block party. The Gold Rush had a season high of seven block shots.
It also doesn't help when your leading scorer and rebounder, Demetric Austin (JR/Washington, D.C.) loses his touch down the stretch. Austin finished with 19 pts and 14 rebounds. He was ejected from the game with 30 seconds left in the game. Austin's ejection didn't come to a surprise. He had 4 fouls for the night going back and forth with Elex Carter, who finished with three personal fouls. This game was high in intensity and emotions. It just so happened to go in Xavier's favor.
Part one is over. Part two happens in the Battlefield for the Bleu Devil Classic February 27th, 2016.
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