Aired live on KNTU Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019
Final score — FAU 60 North Texas 54
DENTON (KNTU) Richardson Maitre scored 15 points, Karlis Silins and Xavian Stapleton each added 12, and Florida Atlantic beat North Texas 60-54 on Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Super Pit.
North Texas (20-9) has lost five straight games and hasn’t won since Feb 7.
“They were the more physical and aggressive team, we missed a lot of shots,” Mean Green forward Zachary Simmons said. “It was on the defensive end, we gave up easy layups and had no physicality in the paint.”
After falling behind 7-1, North Texas went on an 11-0 run to pull ahead 12-7. But The Owls closed the first half on a 14-3 run to take the lead for good.
The Mean Green made just 23 percent of their 3-pointers and struggled down the stretch with a smaller lineup attempting to catch up. FAU outrebounded North Texas 40-37.
“Every game we look to be the aggressors and the tougher team, that indicates whether or not you’re going to be scoring in the paint, or defending in the paint,” Simmons said. “That is where a lot of the tough plays are made. We just were not the tougher team tonight.”
The game also so the return of starting point guard Ryan Woolridge, who missed the last two games due to an injury he suffered against FAU on Feb 14. He scored six points in 24 minutes of playing time.
“We have a great coaching staff that is keeping us together as a team,” Simmons said. “And that is huge for us, just staying together. We know we are a really good team and can come out on the floor and beat anyone.”
UP NEXT
North Texas: The Mean Green play Marshall (15-13) on Sunday at the Super Pit.
FAU: The Owls travels to take on Marshall on Saturday in West Virginia.
