AUSTIN, Texas (11/20/09) - The Mean Green women's basketball team hung around early but the 10th ranked Texas Longhorns proved why their one of the top teams in the country Friday evening, beating North Texas 96-52 at the Erwin Center.
The Longhorns offense exploded in the second half, outscoring the Mean Green 52-27 in the final 20 minutes .Texas improved to 10-0 all-time against North Texas.
The Mean Green (0-3) shot just 34 percent from the field for the game and committed 26 turnovers, which translated into 39 points for the Longhorns. Texas (2-1) outscored North Texas 46-28 points in the paint.
Freshman forward Jasmine Godbolt led the Mean Green in scoring with 11 points, followed by 10 points from Brittney Hudson and Denetra Kellum.
Texas had six players in double-figures, including a game-high 20 from Kathleen Nash. The Longhorns also had a big game from Ashley Gayle, who scored 12 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and had seven blocks.
After falling behind 8-2 in the game's first few minutes, North Texas responded and cut the deficit to 16-12 on a Longhorns turnover and converted layup from Godbolt. However, Texas would then go on a 12-4 run of their own to open up a 28-16 lead with 7:12 left in the first half.
The North Texas offense went cold in the final seven minutes of the half and their field goal percentage dipped below 30 percent (29.4). Meanwhile Texas capitalized on the other end by shooting 53 percent from the field and finished the half on a 14-7 run to take a 44-25 lead into halftime.
Eight of the nine players that checked into the game scored points in the first half for the Mean Green, led by Godbolt's five. Texas was led by Gayle and Nash, each scoring 10 points in the game's first 20 minutes.
The Longhorns dominated the paint in the first half, scoring 22 of their 44 points down low. North Texas also committed 12 turnovers which led to 17 points for the Longhorns.
North Texas will hit the hardwood again on Sunday when they host UMKC at 2 p.m. from The Super Pit.
