NEW ORLEANS -- Miles struggled early from the field and was unable to makeup a double-digit halftime deficit as it fell 72-59 to Xavier (La.) Monday night at the Convocation Center. The game was an exhibition tuneup for the Golden Bears but a regular season contest for the NAIA Gold Rush (4-0).

Miles lead early but trailed only 20-19 with just more than three minutes left in the first half. But the Golden Bears missed their final three shots and turned the ball over three times to go into the half behind 29-19. Miles trailed by as many as 15 in the second half but was able to cut the deficit to 61-55 with just under two minutes left when Nathan Sheffield rocked a left-handed one-handed slam. But Miles would not make another basket the rest of the way, shooting a shade under 35 percent for the game.

Carl Garcia had 15 points and five rebounds, Sheffield and Louis Blakes each had eight points, Robert Jones had six points and seven rebounds, and Aron Stewart had six points, nine rebounds and three blocks for Miles, which opens regular season play Saturday night against West Georgia at Cleveland, Tenn. Tip off is scheduled for 6 p.m.