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North Texas (9-14 4-6) had a successful home stand against Southern Mississippi on Thursday evening and Louisiana Tech on Saturday afternoon, winning both games.
Southern Mississippi
North Texas snapped a 5 game losing streak against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles on much improved shooting from the free throw line (20-25 80%) and solid shooting from the floor (21-47 44.7%) and behind the arc (8-17 47.1). The Mean Green led for much of the game while Southern Miss was never able to better than tie the game.
Player of the game goes to Ricky Brice Jr., who played a big part coming off the bench and had missed the last three games due to an injury sustained during a practice. Brice was 3 of 5 (60%) from the floor and 1 of 2 (50%) from the free throw line for a total of 11 points while bringing in 5 total rebounds (1 Offensive; 4 Defensive). He also had 3 blocks and 4 turnovers on 17 minutes of play.
Also in double digits for the Mean Green was J-Mychal Reese (19), Jeremy Combs (14), and J’Michael Brown (12). Unfortunately, Jeremy’s streak of 7 double-doubles came to an end.
Game stats are available here.
Louisiana Tech
North Texas seemed to play 2 separate games. For the first half, the Mean Green allowed the Bulldogs to score 40 points but in the second half really clamped down on the defensive end just allowing 29 points. North Texas also heated up from the land of three on the hot hands of Deckie Johnson. The game was closely called by the officials, resulting in 3 Bulldogs and 1 Mean Green player to foul out of the game.
An interesting note: Tony Bedford has received a Technical Foul in the last two games. He has taken issue with how officials have been calling games against the Mean Green recently.
The player of the game goes to both Deckie Johnson and Eric Katenda.
Johnson returned to form hitting several clutch treys, including a foul while making a 3-pointer and converting the subsequent free throw for a 4-point play. Deckie was 7 of 13 (53.8%) from the floor, 5 of 9 (55.5%) from behind the arc, and 2 of 3 (66.7%) from the free throw line giving him a game high 21 points while picking up 7 total rebounds (1 Offensive; 6 Defensive) on 33 minutes of play. Johnson also added 2 assists and 1 turnover to his overall stats for the afternoon.
.@MeanGreenMBB's @__Deckiej w/ 15 points in 4 minutes including a 4-pt play @MeanGreenSports #HoopsOnASN pic.twitter.com/35YXt9FWvs
— American Sports Net (@LiveOnASN) February 6, 2016
Eric Katenda put in a solid defensive effort while Brice was forced to sit on the bench due to foul trouble through much of the game. Katenda was 4 of 5 (80%) from the floor and 8 of 11 (72.7%) from the free throw line giving him 16 points while picking up 6 total rebounds (1 Offensive; 5 Defensive) including 3 blocks and 1 steal with 4 turnovers on 29 minutes of play.
Also in double figures for the game was Jeremy Combs (16). Combs was also the team leader in rebounds.
Khalil Fuller did not play due to an injury he sustained in the Southern Miss game.
Game stats are available here.
Up next for the Mean Green is the Old Dominion Monarchs on Thursday, February 11 at 6:00 PM CST in Norfolk, VA.
Current conference standings (as of 2/7/2016)
TEAM CONF GB OVR
UAB 10-1 - 20-4
Middle Tennessee 9-2 1 17-6
Marshall 8-3 2 12-12
Louisiana Tech 6-4 3.5 17-6
Old Dominion 6-4 3.5 13-10
UTEP 5-6 5 13-11
Florida Intl 5-6 5 11-13
North Texas 4-6 5.5 9-14
Charlotte 4-6 5.5 8-15
Southern Mississippi 4-6 5.5 7-14
Western Kentucky 4-7 6 12-12
Florida Atlantic 4-7 6 6-18
Rice 3-7 6.5 8-15
Texas San Antonio 2-9 8 4-20