University of North Texas
Denver
Men's Basketball Wins On Senior Night
2/26/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Box Score
DENTON, Texas (2/26/11) - For its last home game, the North Texas men's basketball team had one of its most convincing wins in a 63-41 victory against Denver on Saturday night at the Super Pit.
The Mean Green improves to 18-10 and 7-8 in the conference, while Denver falls to 13-16 and 9-7 in the Sun Belt. North Texas is now 10-2 at home against Denver and 15-9 overall in the series.
The Mean Green jumped out to an early lead in the first half and never looked back. North Texas led by as many as 23 points in the second half. The 41 points scored by Denver is the lowest point total that North Texas has held an opponent to in a game this season.
North Texas led Denver in nearly every statistical category. The free-throw line was key. The Mean Green scored 21 points at the free-throw line, compared to five for Denver. North Texas shot 47 percent from the field and held the Pioneers to 34 percent shooting.
On senior night, four North Texas seniors scored in double figures. Tristan Thompson led the way with 16 points, while Josh White added 12 points. George Odufuwa posted his 32nd career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Dominique Johnson chipped in 10 points.
Behind 50 percent shooting, North Texas jumped out to a 10-2 lead. Denver made only one field goal in the first seven minutes of play. White, Thompson and Johnson all hit a three-pointer in the first half, leading the Mean Green to a 27-18 halftime lead. The 18 points scored by Denver was the lowest-point total that the Mean Green has held an opponent to in the first half.
The Mean Green opened the second half on a 12-5 run to extend its lead to 16 points, 39-23, at 13:02. North Texas capped the run with six straight points.
Thompson hit three straight free throws and following a Denver miss, Kedrick Hogans energized the crowd with a duck off an assist by White. Following a Denver technical foul, White made two free throws to give North Texas a 46-25 lead at 10:43.
Denver held North Texas scoreless for five minutes, but a jumper by White kept the Mean Green ahead by 20 points, 50-30, at 5:45. The Pioneers were unable to cut the lead to single-digits.
