University of North Texas Athletics
NT Notes & Quotes vs Texas Southern
12/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Monday, Dec. 28, 2009 / The Super Pit
GAME NOTES
- With the win, UNT head coach Johnny Jones moves into a tie with Bill Blakeley for second place among Mean Green coaching victories. Under Jones, the Mean Green is 134-11. Only Pete Shands, with 224 career victories at North Texas, stands ahead of Jones and Blakeley.
- Junior guard Tristan Thompson continued his hot streak of late, pouring in a game-high 21 points to lead four Mean Green players in double figures. It was Thompson's fourth consecutive game to score in double digits, including his third game in the stretch to score 20 or more. Thompson, who connected on 7-of-14 field goals and went 5-of-6 at the free throw line, also led the Mean Green in assists with a career-high five. It's the first time this season he's led the team outright in assists; against Florida International on 12-20-09, Thompson shared the team lead in assists with Shannon Shorter with 3 each.
- Freshman forward Jacob Holmen, who connected on the game-winning FG with less than five seconds left in the game, joined Josh White with 12 points apiece. For White, it was his eighth straight game in double figures while Holman's 12-point effort was just the third time this season he's reached double digits.
- Shorter was the fourth Mean Green player to score in double figures with 11 points. Most of his points came in the second half at the free throw line as he finished 7-of-9 for the game at the line. It was also Shorter's third game this season to score in double figures.
- North Texas had zero blocked shots in the game marking the first time this season the team's gone without at least one block in a game.
- Junior guard Collin Mangrum got his first start of the season (his first starting assignment since 1-8-09 last season vs. UALR) and responded with 9 points on 3-of-6 shooting. He was also perfect at the free throw line (3-3). His 27 minutes were a new career high for him, surpassing the 23 minutes he played vs. Rice on 12-5-09.
- UNT's win over Texas Southern was just the second in the six-game-series. TSU had won the three previous meetings between the two schools and the last time UNT won was in 1983-84 in Denton (88-59).
- The win over TSU is the Mean Green's second victory this season over a Southwestern Athletic Conference opponent (UNT had a 68-58 win over Jackson St. on 11-24-09) and improves UNT's overall record against SWAC teams to 12-11.
Head Coach, Johnny Jones Quotes
"I knew we would have to play well to beat this team. They have played very tough against some quality opponents this season. They are very patient on offense and shoot the ball well. They played a very aggressive zone defense that we had to account for. We made some adjustments tonight after Eric (Tramiel) went out early in the ball game. We used Shorter (Shannon) at the power forward spot and he responded with 11 points.
On the last offensive play
"We could have called a timeout, but thought it best to keep them on their heels. We had a very experienced ball handler on the court in Josh White. Josh makes good decisions in the open court and found Holman (Jacob) open on the wing. He, Jacob, made the first of what we hope will many more big shots for us. He grew up tonight and continues to be key player for us off the bench."
On 250 Games and tying Bill Blakely with 134 wins
"I am very humbled to have coached 250 games here at North Texas. My being around that long is a testament to the many great players who played for me, a great coaching staff and the best administrative backing found anywhere. It has been a total UNT effort from top to bottom." "I am honored to be mentioned in the same breath with Coach Blakeley. He did a great job here and proved that you can win here. Later Coach Jimmy Gales did the same thing. Those two gentlemen factored heavily into my coming here. They paved the way for the Mean Green of today."
