Golden Eagles Backcourt Too Much for Women's BBall
Strong Performance Underneath Not Enough in 67-55 Loss

Forward Joh'Vonna Darrington is blocked in this photo against Charlotte, but the senior swatted a career-high four shots tonight against Southern Miss.

Jan. 24, 2015

Boxscore

Season Stats

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Stopping Conference USA standout sophomore forward Tamara Jones was a focal point of head coach Mike Petersen's game plan against Southern Miss. Although the North Texas women's basketball team succeeded, and was able to hold Jones to four points - 13 below her season average - other Golden Eagles stepped up as they held off the Mean Green by a score of 67-55 at Reed Green Coliseum on Saturday night.

Generally speaking, the North Texas frontcourt of senior Joh'Vonna Darrington and redshirt sophomore Eboniey Jeter was able to handle Jones and the other Southern Miss forwards. Darrington led the team with career-highs of 12 rebounds and four blocks, while Jeter posted the fourth 10+ rebound game of her career with 11, as well as adding eight points.

Where the Golden Eagles exposed the Mean Green was in the backcourt, as junior Jerontay Clemons was able to consistently slash to the basket and wreak havoc at the point guard position. Clemons scored 17 points on 8-13 shooting and added 11 rebounds and five assists. But it was freshman guard Jordan Brown who really hurt the visitors, as she scored a career-high 17 points on 4-5 shooting, including 3-3 from three-point range and 6-6 from the foul line.

Senior guard BreAnna Dawkins added 17 points on 6-17 shooting, it was the fourth time in the past five games she has scored in double figures. The 17 points led the team, as well as her three assists. North Texas was limited the entire game due to foul trouble. The Mean Green were called for 13 fouls in the first half, with senior Briesha Wynn, freshman Bria Frierson and Jeter all wearing three each, handcuffing Petersen with the use of his bench early.

After a three-pointer by junior guard Kasiney Williams tied the game at 26 with 5:34 left in the first half, Southern Miss proceeded to go on a 23-2 run over the next 9:14 to take a 21-point lead and never looked back. Although North Texas was able to get within 12 by the final buzzer, the deficit was just too much to overcome.

After a full week without a game, the Mean Green next play the Rice Owls in Houston on Super Bowl Sunday, February 1. That game will tip off at 2 p.m. on American Sports Network.