DENTON – North Texas women's basketball utilized a 21-7 run to close the first quarter versus Mid-America Christian to pull away in a dominant 82-35 win in the season opener Wednesday night inside The Super Pit.
 
Redshirt senior Terriell Bradley, a Conference USA Preseason Team selection, led all scorers with 19 points. Freshman Charlene Shepherd was impactful in her Mean Green debut with 15 points and nine rebounds, while sophomore Trena Mims registered 12 points and eight boards.
 
The UNT defense held the Evangels to 17-percent shooting from the field and collected 60 rebounds along with a dozen steals. 
 
"I was pleased with how we played overall," Head Coach Jalie Mitchell said. "I thought we improved defensively as a unit. We rebounded the ball really well, and I'm glad that we have multiple people in the fold when it comes to points and rebounds. I'm happy to be 1-0."
 
Madison Townley made her defensive presence known from the tip by taking one of her four charges on the opening possession. A layup by Brittany Smith tallied the introductory points of the 2018-19 Mean Green season before a putback by Townley handed UNT their initial lead of the night at 6-5.
 
Callie Owens recorded her first points in a Mean Green uniform after sitting out last year by draining a three-pointer from the right baseline for a 15-7 UNT advantage at the 3:25 mark of the first quarter. Shepherd made a bucket underneath while taking contact to complete a 10-0 Mean Green run for a 22-7 lead.
 
A spin move in the paint by Deja Terrell seconds into quarter two increased the Mean Green lead to 28-9, and a step through from Townley went down and drew a foul to retain the 19-point lead. A layup from Owens increased the advantage to 38-18, and Bradley capped the half with a three-pointer.
 
UNT continued to steadily up the margin with a 22-0 run that included a three-point play by freshman Tatum Henderson along with a three from Owens for a 63-24 lead. A layup by Mims put the Mean Green up 67-26 heading into the fourth.
 
"I think we are jelling really well right now, and our chemistry is fantastic. We're just growing," Mims said.
 
Shepherd's play in the fourth kept UNT rolling as she hit all four of her attempts in the quarter. A three-pointer from the left side finalized the scoring on the evening for the 47-point victory.
 
Next up, the Mean Green host No. 11 Texas Monday at 7 p.m. in the Super Pit.

Highlights