Box Score
MOBILE, Ala. (1/28/07) North Texas dropped another heartbreaker in overtime, falling to South Alabama 90-89 at the Mitchell Center.
Led by Quincy Williams, North Texas (14-7, 5-5) had six players in double figures, but couldn’t hold off the Jaguars (15-7, 9-2). The junior recorded his second double-double of the season, finishing with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Williams gave NT the lead with a pair of free throws with 1:19 remaining in OT, but Daon Merritt tied the game from the stripe just moments later.
With the game tied at 89, Merritt drove the lane and dished the ball low to Brandon Davis, who was fouled on his lay-up attempt under the bucket with just 3.8 seconds remaining in overtime. The sophomore missed his first free-throw attempt, but made the second.
Trailing by one, Ben Bell’s three point attempt from just inside the half line was off the mark.
Tonight marked NT’s third overtime game of the season, two of them decided by a single point.
Bell nailed a 3-pointer with 55 seconds remaining in regulation to give the Mean Green a three point lead. However, Demetric Bennett answered for South Alabama with just 15 seconds left to tie the game with a solid effort from beyond the arc.
Bennett had a chance at the win with a second left, but his lay-up attempt was blocked by Harold Stewart to send the game into the extra frame.
Bennett and Merritt led South Alabama’s charge back into the game. The duo hit back-to-back 3-pointers with time dwindling to bring the Jaguars within striking distance. Bennett finished with 29 while Merritt had 24.
North Texas scored a season-best 49 points in the opening frame, but led by only four as the Jaguars reeled off 45 of their own.
The Mean Green return to action on Thursday against Troy. Tip off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. from the Super Pit in Denton.
