DENTON — The North Texas men's basketball team concluded its 2018-19 non-conference schedule with its first 12-1 start since 1952-53 after they beat the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 77-66 at the Super Pit Thursday.

The Mean Green's Michael Miller set or tied a single-game career-high in six different statistical categories on Thursday to lead North Texas to the win. Miller's career-best 35 points gives him a season average of 11.5. He entered Thursday averaging 9.5 points per game. With Miller now averaging double-digits, six different Mean Green players are averaging 10 or more points per game.

Umoja Gibson (13 ppg), Ryan Woolrdige (12.4 ppg), Miller (11.5 ppg), Zachary Simmons (11.3 ppg), Roosevelt Smart (10.3 ppg), Jorden Duffy (10.2 ppg) are all are averaging double-digits.

"We're a unselfish team," Miller said. "We don't care who scores as long as we win. And that's what we're doing."

North Texas last was 12-1 during the 1952-53 season when they started 14-1. It's the best 15-game start to a season in program-history. A large part to this season's success has been the depth of the team. 

Miller, who during the regular season last year struggled to get playing time as he battled injuries and adjusting to a new team averaged just three points per game before exploding in the College Basketball Invitational has turned into one of the team's go-to guys. 

Miller has now scored in double figures in four straight games and has carried the team to victory multiple times.. On Thursday, the senior from Indiana set or tied career highs in points, three-pointers, field goals, free throws, blocks and steals as UNT beat UAPB (3-8) by 11.

It didn't take long on Thursday for it to be clear it was going to be Miller's night. Miller began the game 7-for-7 from the field, including 5-for-5 from deep. He had a career-high 21 points at the half and tied his career-high in three-pointers at the half as well. 

Miller finished 11-of-13 from the field, 6-of-7 from deep and 7-of-8 from the free throw line. The only miss three-pointer he had was a last second, end of the half, quick shot he threw up.

"(Michael) is a great story about our program," said head coach Grant McCasland. "His heart, his willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team win. He's a phenomenal teammate."

North Texas heads into the holiday vacation but returns to action on Dec. 29 at Rice to start conference play. The game is schedule for 2:00 p.m.