University of North Texas
[4] Louisiana-Lafayette
Walton's Late Three Lifts NT To SBC Semifinal
3/4/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Box Score
Postgame Notes
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Brandan Walton's late game heroics led the Mean Green men's basketball team past Louisiana-Lafayette in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament Quarterfinal, 65-62 on Sunday evening on the Convention Center Court.
Walton came through in the clutch for North Texas (17-13, 9-7), draining a three-pointer with eight seconds left in the game to put NT up three. The Mean Green would hold on defense on the final possession to seal the victory over the No. 4 seeded Ragin' Cajuns (16-15).
The second half was a back-and-forth affair much like the first, with the lead changing hands 12 times in the final stanza.
Down two points with less than two minutes to go, junior Roger Franklin turned the ball over to ULL, but hustled down the floor and got the ball back for North Texas, blocking Bryant Mbamalu's layup and hauling in the rebound. The Mean Green would score on the ensuing possession to tie the score at 62-62.
With the Mean Green leading by two out of the first media timeout of the second half, the Ragin' Cajuns put together a quick 7-0 run by taking advantage of several North Texas turnovers. Elfrid Payton capped the run with an old fashioned three-point play after making a lay-up and converting on the ensuing free throw.
Neither team was able to distance itself from the other for long during the first half of play, with North Texas taking a 30-29 lead into the break.
Freshman Tony Mitchell, who received his Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Sun Belt awards before the game, set the pace for the Mean Green defense early, registering three blocks in the games first four minutes. He would finish with 11 rebounds, six blocks and five points.
Walton, a junior, wound up with five boards and two steals to go along with his 16 points on the night.
North Texas advances to the Sun Belt Conference Semifinals against Arkansas State who upset No. 1 seed Middle Tennessee this evening. That game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start in Summit Arena.
