Saturday, December 28
The Super Pit
5:00 PM
University of North Texas
-67,00 CUSA
102
vs
64
Texas Wesleyan
1-1
1
2
F
Texas Wesleyan
29
35
64
North Texas
49
53
102
Photo by: Jesus Gutierrez
Mean Green Score 102 In Win
12/28/2019 8:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball
DENTON — The North Texas men's basketball team concluded its non-conference slate with a 102-64 victory over Texas Wesleyan Saturday night at the Super Pit.
UNT (6-7) shot 55 percent from the field. It's highest shooting percentage since the season-opening win over Oklahoma Christian and the second consecutive game the Mean Green have shot over 50 percent. They are 5-0 this season when they shoot over the 50 percent clip.
On Saturday they were led by their overall leading scorer Umoja Gibson who finished with 19 points and made five 3-pointers. Newcomer Thomas Bell was on fire in the first half. The junior from East St. Louis, Illinois, finished with a season-best 16 points. He had 14 in the first half and made his first three 3-point attempts and drew two charges as well in the first frame.
Saturday's game concludes what has been one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation. And after Saturday, the team is feeling good.
"We've been tested this season from the very beginning," said Bell. "Our offense has really come a long ways since then and we feel as if we're prepared."
UNT broke away from the Rams (8-3) on Saturday midway through the first half with a 12-1 run that was sparked by consecutive charges drawn by Bell. He followed up those defensive plays by nailing back-to-back 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to increase the Mean Green lead to 15.
The lead jumped to 20 points soon later when Bell stripped a Texas Wesleyan player and hit his third 3-pointer of the game, marking a season-high for the lefty.
After taking a 20-point lead into the half, Gibson took over the offense. The team's leading scorer and 3-point shooter made three shots from beyond the arc and was 2-for-2 at the free throw line to lead the team with 11 second half points.
Redshirt senior Deng Geu recorded his second double-double of the year with an 11-point and 11-rebound performance. It's his third game this season with 10 or more rebounds.
The Sioux Falls, South Dakota native had battled with foul trouble in the last few games but stayed out of trouble on Saturday and took advantage in the second half as he had seven points and five rebounds in the second half alone.
"We've got great belief in one another and know we can compete with anyone," Bell said. "Our schedule has proven that."
Roosevelt Smart made a transition layup with 26 second remaining to give the Mean Green their 100th point. It the first time since last season's conference opener on Dec. 29, 2018 at Rice the Mean Green have scored 100 or more points. They beat the Owls 103-87 in Houston last season.
Redshirt junior JJ Murray knocked down a pair of free throws with 10 seconds remaining to give UNT its largest lead of the game, 38 points, as well as the eventual final score.
"We know we're capable of shooting great every night," said Murray who finished with a season-high eight points. "We're ready for conference."
UNT opens conference play on Jan. 2 at Conference USA preseason favorite WKU. The game will be aired on ESPNU and the Mean Green Sports Network and is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. CT.
UNT (6-7) shot 55 percent from the field. It's highest shooting percentage since the season-opening win over Oklahoma Christian and the second consecutive game the Mean Green have shot over 50 percent. They are 5-0 this season when they shoot over the 50 percent clip.
On Saturday they were led by their overall leading scorer Umoja Gibson who finished with 19 points and made five 3-pointers. Newcomer Thomas Bell was on fire in the first half. The junior from East St. Louis, Illinois, finished with a season-best 16 points. He had 14 in the first half and made his first three 3-point attempts and drew two charges as well in the first frame.
Saturday's game concludes what has been one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation. And after Saturday, the team is feeling good.
"We've been tested this season from the very beginning," said Bell. "Our offense has really come a long ways since then and we feel as if we're prepared."
UNT broke away from the Rams (8-3) on Saturday midway through the first half with a 12-1 run that was sparked by consecutive charges drawn by Bell. He followed up those defensive plays by nailing back-to-back 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to increase the Mean Green lead to 15.
The lead jumped to 20 points soon later when Bell stripped a Texas Wesleyan player and hit his third 3-pointer of the game, marking a season-high for the lefty.
After taking a 20-point lead into the half, Gibson took over the offense. The team's leading scorer and 3-point shooter made three shots from beyond the arc and was 2-for-2 at the free throw line to lead the team with 11 second half points.
Redshirt senior Deng Geu recorded his second double-double of the year with an 11-point and 11-rebound performance. It's his third game this season with 10 or more rebounds.
The Sioux Falls, South Dakota native had battled with foul trouble in the last few games but stayed out of trouble on Saturday and took advantage in the second half as he had seven points and five rebounds in the second half alone.
"We've got great belief in one another and know we can compete with anyone," Bell said. "Our schedule has proven that."
Roosevelt Smart made a transition layup with 26 second remaining to give the Mean Green their 100th point. It the first time since last season's conference opener on Dec. 29, 2018 at Rice the Mean Green have scored 100 or more points. They beat the Owls 103-87 in Houston last season.
Redshirt junior JJ Murray knocked down a pair of free throws with 10 seconds remaining to give UNT its largest lead of the game, 38 points, as well as the eventual final score.
"We know we're capable of shooting great every night," said Murray who finished with a season-high eight points. "We're ready for conference."
UNT opens conference play on Jan. 2 at Conference USA preseason favorite WKU. The game will be aired on ESPNU and the Mean Green Sports Network and is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. CT.
Team Stats
TW
UNT
FG%
.296
.559
3FG%
.292
.407
FT%
.652
.641
RB
40
47
TO
17
17
STL
8
10
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
5
FTM
2
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's BasketballDaniyal Robinson Introductory Press Conference | Mean Green MBB
Monday, April 07
DANIYAL ROBINSON INTRODUCTORY PRESS CONFERENCE
Wednesday, April 02
Recap vs Oklahoma State | NIT 2025 | Mean Green MBB
Thursday, March 27
Broadcast Highlights vs Charlotte| Mean Green MBB
Friday, March 07