DENTON – North Texas women's basketball continued to make history with the program's first postseason win in a 56-42 victory over UTRGV Wednesday night inside The Super Pit.
 
The Mean Green (16-15) advanced past the conference tournament in three seasons, 1985-86, 2000-01, and 2001-02, but never pulled out a win until the defeat over UTRGV (18-15). Anisha George scored a game-high 19 points, Callie Owens added 10 for UNT, and Madison Townley pulled down 10 boards. The Mean Green outrebounded UTRGV, 36-30, and forced 22 turnovers.

"I'm excited," head coach Jalie Mitchell said. "We came and did what we needed to do. Really proud of how our team stepped up. It's always been the goal to play postseason. I am very pleased that we are here, and now we have to take advantage of the opportunity."
 
George went to work early by scoring the first nine Mean Green points to outscore UTRGV by two in the opening minutes. Terriell Bradley sank four free throws, and Owens made a 15-foot jumper for a 17-7 advantage.
 
"We played our personnel extremely well, and being at home gave us great energy. We want to be playing at this time of the year," Mitchell said.
 
Charlene Shepherd drove in from the top of the key to extend the margin to 22-10 in the opening minute of the second quarter. UTRGV closed on a 6-2 run to pull within 31-24 at the half.
 
UTRGV scored first after the break before George again dominated in the paint with her own 8-0 run, capped by a fastbreak layup on an assist from Bradley to give North Texas a 39-26 advantage at the 6:46 mark. UTRGV then hit a pair of 3-pointers and two free throws to cut the deficit 40-34. Trena Mims made jumper from the elbow, and Owens drilled a 3 from the left baseline at the buzzer for an 11-point edge.
 
Six straight UNT points in the fourth quarter handed the Mean Green their largest lead at 55-40 with 2:53 to play.
 
The Mean Green move on to face Utah State March 26 at 7 p.m. in The Super Pit.