University of North Texas Athletics
Walton, Mean Green Hoops Headed To California
11/30/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Doubletree Los Angeles Westside Centennial Classic
Dec. 2-4, 2011 • Gersten Pavilion (4,156) • Los Angeles, Calif.
Live Stats, Free Webcast: lmulions.com
Radio: KNTU 88.1-FM, KWRD 100.7-FM • Steven Bartolotta (PBP)
TV: None
Game Notes
First Game
La Sierra (0-5)
Dec. 2 • 4 p.m. CST
Gersten Pavilion
Series: First Meeting
LOS ANGELES – North Texas’ Brandan Walton is returning to his hometown for a basketball game for the first time since high school. Walton, who finished his career at Casper College (WY) ranked No. 4 on their career scoring charts, was a standout at Compton King-Drew High School, where he averaged 14.8 points as a senior.
Now he gets his chance to impress his hometown fans at the Doubletree Los Angeles Westside Centennial Classic, which is being hosted by Loyola Marymount.
North Texas is returning to the state of California for the first time since leaving the Big West Conference following the 1999-00 season. As a matter of fact, NT hasn’t faced a California school since dropping a 93-84 decision at UC Irvine on March 4, 2000. NT spent four seasons in the Big West, and is 27-27 all-time against schools from the Golden State.
North Texas has never faced La Sierra or Columbia, but did win a 112-103 thriller over Loyola Marymount in their only previous meeting on Dec. 22, 1981. Loyola Marymount and North Texas met at the Wolf Pack Classic in Reno, Nev., a day after Bill Blakeley’s squad fell to St. Mary’s, 88-86.
Alzee Williams racked up a career and game high 17 points with 7-of-7 shooting from the stripe against Texas. On the year, Williams is 14-of-14 from the free throw line, which makes him one of just five players in the nation (10 attempts minimum) to remain perfect from the line.
Roger Franklin used his Big 12 pedigree to bully Texas for his first career double-double, and the first for North Texas this year. The former Oklahoma State transfer tallied 13 points and 12 rebounds, helping the Mean Green out-rebound the Longhorns 46-30 on the night.
