NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Belhaven University Blazers fell in their season opener Wednesday night to Xavier University of Louisiana 93-82.
 
The Blazers (0-1) played close with the No. 13 Gold Rush (1-0) early on as the teams traded leads through the first several minutes of the first half. Xavier opened up a double-digit lead later in the first half, but Belhaven closed the game back to 47-40 at the break.
 
In the second half, Belhaven fell behind by 24 to Xavier after the Gold Rush went on a big run early in the second half.
 
However, the Blazers made a comeback effort, cutting the deficit to 10 on two different occasions, but foul trouble hampered Belhaven's comeback bid. Jerrial Dawson and Delah Mayers fouled out later in the second half.
 
Dawson finished the contest with 14 points and also had two rebounds and a pair of assists. Mayers scored nine points and finished with three rebounds.
 
Jordan Bedford led all players in scoring in the game with 26 points on the night, including six three pointers. The Covington, La. native also had a pair of assists and three rebounds in 30 minutes of action.
 
In total, Belhaven had three players in double figures, as freshman Kyle Patterson finished with 11 points to join Bedford and Dawson.
 
Will Sheriff led the Blazers with seven rebounds in the game to go along with four points, a block and a steal.
 
The Blazers shot 52 percent from the field in the first half, including a 55 percent clip from beyond the arc. However, Belhaven was just 31 percent from three-point range in the second half and 44 percent from the field. The Blazers were also just 19 of 34 with their opportunities from the free-throw line.
 
Belhaven held the Gold Rush to 35 percent from beyond the arc in the contest, but Xavier capitalized inside, finishing at 52 percent overall from the field.
 
The Blazers will welcome Xavier on a return trip for its next contest, as the two teams square off at Rugg Arena on Monday, November 3. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m.