University of North Texas Athletics
New Orleans Slips Past Mean Green, 76-73
2/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
DENTON (2/20/03) -- New Orleans forced a North Texas turnover with about five seconds left in the game to hold off the Mean Green and claim a 76-73 Sun Belt Conference victory at the Super Pit Thursday night.
The Privateers (14-11, 7-6) were clinging to a one-point lead when North Texas (7-17, 2-10) inbounded the ball after a made free throw by Jason Mann gave UNO a 74-73 lead with 0:19 left. After the Mean Green crossed midcourt, UNO stripped the ball from Jerome Rogers as he drove down the lane. UNO's Johnell Smith was then fouled and hit both ends of his bonus free throws to give the Privateers the three-point victory.
"This was one of our better games," said North Texas Johnny Jones. "We shot the ball well and had good ball movement. I was pleased with our rebounding and overall defensive effort. We are obviously disappointed that we did not get the win tonight."
In a back-and-forth game throughout the entire second half, North Texas erased a three-point halftime deficit and built as much as a six-point lead twice midway through the final period. The Mean Green led 66-60 on a three-pointer by Lee Green at the 7:30 mark and also went up 68-62 moments later after a pair of free throws by Rogers.
But New Orleans came back and the game was tied three times in the final 3:38, the last time being at 73-73 following a Rogers' three-pointer with 1:15 left in regulation.
Rogers led the Mean Green with 18 points on six-of-12 shooting. The junior guard connected on three-of-five attempts from three-point range and also went three-of-four at the free throw line. Chris Davis finished with 17 points and a team-leading nine rebounds while Jermaine Green also ended in double figures with 15 points.
For New Orleans, Hector Romero posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. He was one of four Privateers to score in double figures along with Smith (19 points), Kyle Buggs (11) and Nerijus Lisauskas (10).
The Mean Green will play their final home game of the 2002-03 season on Saturday night when they host South Alabama at 7:00 at the Super Pit.
