New Orleans, La. - It had been nearly two years since the LSUS men's basketball program had dropped back-to-back GCAC games, but in a span of two weeks, the Pilots have now done it twice this season with Saturday's 77-65 loss at Xavier.

After LSUS rallied to cut a 13-point Gold Rush lead down to 43-41, the Pilots would never get closer as the home team pulled away late for a 12-point win.

Xavier senior Kelechi Okoroha scored a career-high 28 points in the win, while Michael Harvey added 14 points.

LSUS was led by Derrick Parker's 16 points and 10 rebounds.  Jared Stevenson (14) and Tyrone Hamilton (10) were the only other Pilots in double figures.

The Pilots outshot the Gold Rush for the game (43% to 39%), but LSUS was miserable from behind the arc and at the free-throw line.  The Pilots connected on just 6-of-24 from the three-point line and shot a season-low 39% at the charity stripe.

Xavier took advantage of 47 trips to the foul line, making 37 free throws on the night.  LSUS shot just 18 free throws in the contest.

LSUS (14-9, 7-4) falls into a second-place tie with the Gold Rush following the loss, and they will take on Dillard University on Monday night in New Orleans.