Saturday, December 7
Denton, Texas
2 PM
University of North Texas
7-2,0-0AAC
87
vs
54
Southern Illinois
2-5,0-0MVC
1
2
3
4
F
Southern Ill.
16
14
18
6
54
North Texas
16
23
24
24
87
Hardaway’s Second Consecutive Career High Leads UNT Over SIU
12/7/2024 5:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Hardaway is the fifth UNT player to score 20 points in a game this season
DENTON, Texas – Ereauna Hardaway posted a career-high 21 points to lead the UNT women's basketball team to an 87-54 victory over Southern Illinois Saturday afternoon inside The Super Pit.
Hardaway's 21 points surpassed her previous career high of 18 points, which she set just over 72 hours ago in UNT's victory over Tennessee State on Wednesday. The junior guard hit two more 3-pointers Saturday bringing her season total to eight, which matches her season total from the 2022-23 season and passes her total from the 2023-24 season.
"She's realizing how she can play and she's playing with confidence," head coach Jason Burton said. "I think that confidence comes from work in the gym and the film time that she's putting in. I think we're also putting her in a better position to have success. She's getting better in her ability to read layers and make decisions."
Following Hardaway, the Mean Green had three other players score in double figures marking the second straight game where four players score 10+ points. Kyla Deck had her second highest point total of the season with 19 points, while Tommisha Lampkin had 17 points and Desiree Wooten added 11.
After ending the first quarter at 16 a piece, North Texas took control of the game and outscored the Salukis by 33 points over the final three quarters. It is the second straight game the Mean Green have not let the opposing team hold a lead at any point in the game.
UNT's 87 points is the most scored in a game this season and the third time surpassing 80 points on the year. The Mean Green shot 62.1% in the second half and 56.1% for the game, which neared their season high. Most importantly, North Texas limited its turnovers, only committing 12 against the Salukis compared to the 19.4 it had averaged through the first eight games.
Southern Illinois was led by Isabella Palmqvist's 10 points. The Mean Green were able to hold Gift Uchenna to eight points and six rebounds, significantly under her season average of 16.0 points and 11.3 rebounds per game.
North Texas (7-2) will look to build off consecutive home wins when it hits the road for the final time in its nonconference slate Sunday, Dec. 15 at Santa Clara.
Hardaway's 21 points surpassed her previous career high of 18 points, which she set just over 72 hours ago in UNT's victory over Tennessee State on Wednesday. The junior guard hit two more 3-pointers Saturday bringing her season total to eight, which matches her season total from the 2022-23 season and passes her total from the 2023-24 season.
"She's realizing how she can play and she's playing with confidence," head coach Jason Burton said. "I think that confidence comes from work in the gym and the film time that she's putting in. I think we're also putting her in a better position to have success. She's getting better in her ability to read layers and make decisions."
Following Hardaway, the Mean Green had three other players score in double figures marking the second straight game where four players score 10+ points. Kyla Deck had her second highest point total of the season with 19 points, while Tommisha Lampkin had 17 points and Desiree Wooten added 11.
After ending the first quarter at 16 a piece, North Texas took control of the game and outscored the Salukis by 33 points over the final three quarters. It is the second straight game the Mean Green have not let the opposing team hold a lead at any point in the game.
UNT's 87 points is the most scored in a game this season and the third time surpassing 80 points on the year. The Mean Green shot 62.1% in the second half and 56.1% for the game, which neared their season high. Most importantly, North Texas limited its turnovers, only committing 12 against the Salukis compared to the 19.4 it had averaged through the first eight games.
Southern Illinois was led by Isabella Palmqvist's 10 points. The Mean Green were able to hold Gift Uchenna to eight points and six rebounds, significantly under her season average of 16.0 points and 11.3 rebounds per game.
North Texas (7-2) will look to build off consecutive home wins when it hits the road for the final time in its nonconference slate Sunday, Dec. 15 at Santa Clara.
Team Stats
SIU
UNT
FG%
.404
.561
3FG%
.350
.286
FT%
.625
.704
RB
25
36
TO
22
12
STL
6
11
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
21
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
5
Pts
17
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
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