Mean Green Soar vs UTSA

DENTON, Texas - Can you say history? The Mean Green cap off yet another win against UTSA Saturday at the Super Pit with a final score of 69-45. With the win, North Texas improves their win streak to eight straight and sit atop the Conference USA standings at 9-1 which also is a new school record after the first ten conference games.

North Texas was hot from the tip and immediately built a double-digit lead within the first 12 minutes. The Roadrunners were the complete reciprocal after missing 9 of their first 11 shot attempts. North Texas used their stifling defense and interior offensive presence to jump out to a 34-17 halftime lead. Meanwhile in the second half, UTSA was able to make a run at a comeback during the first 8 minutes, cutting the deficit to 13. From then, UNT was able to close the door thanks to 17 points from center Abou Ousmane and 16 points from Tyler Perry. North Texas shot 55% from the floor as well as 46% from three while UTSA struggled from the floor (29%) as well as the three all game (24%).

What now for the Mean Green? Although there is a lot to cheer for, there is at least one major area of concern for North Texas moving forward. The free throw line. On the year, UNT averages 66% from the charity stripe as a team. While against UTSA Saturday, they shot 18-32 (56%). The majority of the misses however were on the shoulders of Thomas Bell III who shot a measly 1-8 from the line. You don’t have to hear it from me in order to realize that free throws, especially in the abundance UNT is getting to the line, means a lot in the sense of UNT getting the win or not. Abou Ousmane was 3-8 from the line. If your big men down low are doing their job and getting inside and reaching the free throw line, then you must convert from the line. We’ve seen this team struggle, but we’re also in the moment of seeing this team peak. Eliminate the struggles at the line and this team is going far for the second year in a row.