Women’s Basketball Hosts Rice in Key Conference Matchup

DENTON, Texas – The UNT women's basketball team goes for its fourth straight American Conference victory and a shared spot atop the conference standings as it hosts league-leading Rice Saturday at the Super Pit.

The Mean Green (10-7, 4-1 American) handled Memphis, 75-64, on Tuesday to keep pace at the top of the league and extend its home win streak against American opponents to 13. Megan Nestor led the way with 17 points and 11 rebounds, good for her fourth double double in a row and ninth of the season. She enters Saturday leading the nation in offensive rebounds (4.8) and ranks fourth in total rebounds (11.9) per game. Aysia Proctor also contributed 12 points for her fifth consecutive double-digit scoring outing.

Saturday marks the 28th all-time meeting between UNT and Rice. Although Rice holds a 16-11 lead in the series, the Mean Green have won seven of the last nine matchups, including a 3-1 edge under head coach Jason Burton.

The contest is slated for a 2 p.m. CT tip and can be watched on ESPN+ with Kyle Youmans and Brian Burton on the call. Sam Kaman will also provide radio coverage through the Varsity Network App.

WHAT 2 WATCH 4
• North Texas hosts Rice Saturday afternoon at The Super Pit in a battle for the top spot in the American Conference standings.
• North Texas has won 13 consecutive home conference games and is 18-2 overall in such matchups under head coach Jason Burton.
• Megan Nestor made national headlines with her 34-point, 31-rebound performance against Texas Southern on Dec. 6. She enters Saturday having recorded a double double in four straight games and is the American's only player averaging a double double on the season.
• Aysia Proctor has been one of the best players in the American since the start of league play, ranking second in the conference with 17.6 PPG over that span.

BIG MEG POSTING BIG NUMBERS
• Megan Nestor has been a difference maker in the frontcourt, averaging 12.6 points and 11.9 rebounds per game this season. She is the only player in the American Conference averaging a double double and has done so in each of her last four games.
• She holds the nation's top spot in offensive rebounds per game at 4.8, while her nine double doubles are the most in the American. Nestor also ranks fourth in the NCAA and first in the conference by grabbing 11.9 total rebounds per game.
• Her presence is felt on both ends of the floor as she is the only player in the country with 120+ defensive rebounds and 80+ offensive rebounds.

PROCTOR'S START TO CONFERENCE PLAY
• Aysia Proctor has been on a tear since joining the starting lineup for the American Conference opener on Dec. 30.
• After averaging 11.3 points per game off the bench during the non-conference slate, Proctor has been unguardable while cashing in 17.6 points per game during league play, which ranks second in the American.
• The junior guard leads the league in three-point makes per game over that stretch, knocking down three per game at a 50% clip.
• She has reached double-digit scoring figures in five straight games, including a career-high 24 points on Jan. 6 against ECU.

A WIN WOULD...
• Improve North Texas to 11-7 overall and 5-1 against conference opponents.
• Move UNT into at least a two-way tie atop the American Conference standings.
• Give UNT a 5-1 start to conference play for the third time in as many tries under Jason Burton.
• Mark the 14th consecutive conference win at The Super Pit for North Texas, extending the longest streak in program history.
• Make North Texas 12-0 at home in the month of January under Burton.
• Give UNT its eighth win over Rice in their last 10 meetings and extend its win streak to three games.

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