Gold Nuggets will face 13th-ranked John Brown in the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship Opening Round, with Xavier University of Louisiana as the No. 14 seed playing at 6 p.m. CDT in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

By the Numbers
  • Xavier University of Louisiana (Gold Nuggets) are 25-6 and Red River Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament runner-up.
  • John Brown's Golden Eagles are 28-3, the Sooner Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament champion, and 13th in the final coaches poll.
State of Play
  • XULA's first appearance in nationals since 2022, with notable players including Taylor Dewitt, Jaleah LaFargue, and Zaria Harleaux.
  • John Brown's Tarrah Stephens, Sooner Player of the Year, averages 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocked shots.
What's Next

The winner between XULA-John Brown will face the victor of Indiana Tech vs. St. Thomas for a chance to advance to the NAIA National Championship site at Sioux City, Iowa.

Bottom Line

Xavier University of Louisiana and John Brown set to clash in a high-stakes game, with the XULA team aiming for a shot at the NAIA National Championship final site.