University of North Texas Athletics
North Texas vs Jackson State Game Notes & Quotes
11/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 / The Super Pit
GAME NOTES
- Junior forward George Odufuwa registered his third double-double performance of the young season by scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. He's now turned in a double-double effort in 3 of NT's 4 games this season. All 3 of those games have been Mean Green victories.
- Odufuwa's double-double was the fifth of his two-season NT career.
- Senior forward Eric Tramiel led three Mean Green players in double figures with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the floor. He also shot 3-of-5 at the free throw line.
- Tramiel has now scored in double figures in 3 of the Mean Green's four games; his 15 points vs. Jackson State was one shy of his season-high 16 he scored last weekend against Oklahoma State.
- Also scoring in double figures was Richard Thomas, who ended with 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting, including two three-pointers. The pair of three-point FGs matched his season high; he also connected on two from behind the arc against Cameron in the season opener.
- Tramiel swatted away two blocked shots, his high for the season,
- The Mean Green had a total of 7 blocked shots, a new season high. In addition to Tramiel's pair, Odufuwa also slapped away two blocks with Dominique Johnson, Collin Mangrum and Cameron Spencer each getting a single rejection.
- North Texas's six steals was one shy of the season high 7 they stole vs. UT-Arlington.
- The Mean Green's leading scorer, junior guard Josh White, was held scoreless in the game until the final 0:32 when he was fouled twice and connected on all four FTs he attempted.
- With the win, North Texas improves to 3-1, marking the fourth straight season the Mean Green has opened with a 3-1 record. The stretch of four consecutive seasons opening at 3-1 mark the first time in the program's history for that to happen.
- The Mean Green now stand 3-1 all-time against Jackson State. Tuesday's 68-58 finish was the lowest scoring game in the series; UNT had never scored fewer than 80 points in the matchups while Jackson State had never scored less than 81.
JOHNNY JONES QUOTES
"We knew this was going to be tough. Jackson State is a very good basketball team. They are much better than their record indicated. They shoot the ball very well and are very patient on offense. They have good ball-handlers who set the tempo for them. We were fortunate to come on top tonight. We were able to get some separation in the second half but they made a charge late. I was happy with the way we kept our poise and composure."
"We didn't shoot the ball particularly well, but we found a way to win the game playing team basketball. Our post players scored on the inside and our guards were able to penetrate and make some things happen. That is a good early sign that we are coming together as a team. Hopefully, soon we will be able to put it all together."
On the play of the post players
"I thought Eric (Tramiel) made some tough shots for us in the second half and George (Odufuwa) had another double-double for us. If we can keep them going that will be key for us as the season progresses."
