Box Score
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (11/30/07) The North Texas basketball team survived a late scare to knock off Western New Mexico 84-82 in first round action at the Lou Henson Classic.
Draped by two Mean Green (4-1) defenders, Steve Berrelleza nailed a 3-pointer with two seconds remaining to bring the Mustangs (3-2) within a point of NT at 83-82.
Josh White netted a free throw on North Texas’ ensuing possession, and Trey Clarkson’s game-winning attempt from 25 feet sailed wide to ensure the NT win.
Berrelleza’s bucket capped off a scorching second-half shooting performance by Western, which hit 12 three-pointers eight in the closing frame. No Mustang shooter was as hot as Clarkson, who hit 5-of-9 three point attempts in the game, including four in the second half.
North Texas made a concentrated effort to get to the free throw line after shooting only nine against UT Arlington. The Mean Green accomplished its mission with 36 attempts, but came away with only 18 points after missing its first four free throws attempts of the second frame.
White led three Mean Green players in double figures with 17 points. Wooden and Bell netted 12 and 11 points respectively.
Wooden got the Mean Green off to a quick start with six early points. The senior rolled in a trio of layups in the first four minutes.
The Mean Green surged out to an 11 point first half lead on the strength of Adam McCoy. The North Texas junior nailed a three pointer and a layup to bring the score to 29-18.
Wooden wasn’t the only NT player impressive down low. Harold Stewart scored six straight points on the low block late in the first. North Texas led 43-35 at the half.
The Mean Green returns to action tomorrow against New Mexico State at 9:30 p.m. CST. The game can be heard on 88.1 KNTU-FM and 100.7 KWRD-FM courtesy of the Aggie Radio Network, who will broadcast the game following North Texas football versus Florida International.
