Thursday, November 26
7 p.m.
University of North Texas
-10,00 CUSA
116
vs
62
Mississippi Valley State
0-2,0-0SWAC
1
2
F
Mississippi Val.
27
35
62
North Texas
51
65
116
Photo by: Jesus Gutierrez
UNT Sets Program-Record In Season Opener
11/26/2020 9:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball
DENTON — The defending 2020 Conference USA champion Mean Green men's basketball team opened the 2020-21 season by making a program-record 21 3-pointers in a 116-62 victory over Mississippi Valley State at Super Pit Thursday.
North Texas' Mardrez McBride and James Reese each scored 21 points and combined to shoot 11-of-14 from deep (.785) to lead the charge. As a team North Texas (1-0) made 21-of-33 (.636) 3-pointers. The previous record was 19, which had been reached three times — twice under fourth-year head coach Grant McCasland.
The 21 points by Reese is a career-high for the second-year UNT guard.
"First and foremost we're thankful to be playing," said McCasland. "It's a blessing to be able to play and we're thankful for all the North Texas staff members who have helped us get here. Not too surprised with how (McBride) shot the ball. He made 50-percent of his 3-pointers in junior college but we moved the ball really well as a team and that was great to see."
After taking a 51-27 lead into the half, UNT pretty much sealed the victory over MVSU (0-2) at the start of the second half by going on a 17-0 run.
Lost in the hot shooting was the stellar performance from reigning C-USA Player of the Year Javion Hamlet. The Mean Green point guard finished with 13 points and had 11 assists. He had eight assists and no turnovers in the first half. He chipped in a pair of 3-pointers as eight total Mean Green players connected from deep.
"He's a winner," McCasland said of Hamlet. "No one wants to win as bad as him and it's why he's on our team."
UNT has a quick turnaround before its next game as they'll face Arkansas in Fayetteville on Saturday at 5 p.m. The game will be broadcasted on SEC Network+.
Support Mean Green student-athletes by visiting MeanGreenScholarshipFund.com
North Texas' Mardrez McBride and James Reese each scored 21 points and combined to shoot 11-of-14 from deep (.785) to lead the charge. As a team North Texas (1-0) made 21-of-33 (.636) 3-pointers. The previous record was 19, which had been reached three times — twice under fourth-year head coach Grant McCasland.
The 21 points by Reese is a career-high for the second-year UNT guard.
"First and foremost we're thankful to be playing," said McCasland. "It's a blessing to be able to play and we're thankful for all the North Texas staff members who have helped us get here. Not too surprised with how (McBride) shot the ball. He made 50-percent of his 3-pointers in junior college but we moved the ball really well as a team and that was great to see."
After taking a 51-27 lead into the half, UNT pretty much sealed the victory over MVSU (0-2) at the start of the second half by going on a 17-0 run.
Lost in the hot shooting was the stellar performance from reigning C-USA Player of the Year Javion Hamlet. The Mean Green point guard finished with 13 points and had 11 assists. He had eight assists and no turnovers in the first half. He chipped in a pair of 3-pointers as eight total Mean Green players connected from deep.
"He's a winner," McCasland said of Hamlet. "No one wants to win as bad as him and it's why he's on our team."
UNT has a quick turnaround before its next game as they'll face Arkansas in Fayetteville on Saturday at 5 p.m. The game will be broadcasted on SEC Network+.
Support Mean Green student-athletes by visiting MeanGreenScholarshipFund.com
Team Stats
MVSU
UNT
FG%
.365
.651
3FG%
.333
.636
FT%
.556
.867
RB
24
43
TO
22
17
STL
12
13
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
21
FGM
8
3FGM
5
FTM
0
Pts
21
FGM
6
3FGM
6
FTM
3
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
Guard
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