University of North Texas
FIU
Men's Basketball Wins 16th Straight At Home
1/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Box Score
DENTON, Texas (1/13/11) - The North Texas men's basketball team extended its home-winning streak to 16 games in an 87-77 victory against FIU on Thursday night at the Super Pit.
The Mean Green improves to 14-3 and 3-1 in conference play, while the Golden Panthers fall to 8-8 and 3-1 in the Sun Belt. NT extends its series record against FIU to 10-3.
North Texas has won 16 straight games at home, which is tied for the nation's ninth longest home-court stand. This stretch also ranks tied for the second-longest streak in school history.
"Our guys had a great team effort tonight," said North Texas head coach Johnny Jones. "FIU is a tough team to prepare for, and they are tough to play against. Our guys did a tremendous job in continuing to battle the whole game. A great team effort."
The difference in the game may have come down to fouls and free throws. FIU committed 25 fouls, compared to NT's 13. The Mean Green scored 20 points from the free-throw, including five in the final 30 seconds that sealed the win.
Josh White led the Mean Green with 18 points, including a key three-pointer in the final minutes and five free throws. George Odufuwa recorded his 24th career double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds. White and Odufuwa led five players in double-figure scoring. Tristan Thompson came off the bench to score 11 points.
Neither team led by more than seven points in the second half until North Texas went on a 9-3 run with under seven minutes to play in the game. White capped the run with one of two free throws to put North Texas ahead, 74-66 at 5:24.
With FIU cutting into the lead, White hit a three-pointer at 1:54 to keep North Texas ahead, 80-73. Shannon Shorter followed with a layup to increase the lead to nine points. The Mean Green was able to hit free throws the rest of the way to hold onto the win.
North Texas shot 52 percent from the field, the eighth time this season that the Mean Green has shot above 50 percent.
The first half started off close until FIU was able to jump ahead. With North Texas leading 12-11, FIU went on a 19-7 run. Alex Legion scored 11 points in the spread for FIU, including three three-pointers, to lead the Golden Panthers to a 30-19 lead at 5:37 in the first half.
Thompson entered the game in the final minutes of the first half and instantly gave the Mean Green some energy with a three-pointer at 3:22, cutting the FIU lead to five, 33-28. He led North Texas on a 12-3 run to enter half ahead, 37-36. Thompson scored five points in four minutes of play in the first half.
With the win, White and Thompson become the winningest players in school history with 78 victories.
DeJuan Wright led all scorers with 21 points for FIU. Legion followed with 18.
North Texas held the edge in rebounds, 41-34. Shorter recorded a season high with seven boards.
The Mean Green returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 15 when it faces Troy on the road at 7:00 p.m.
