LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (12/31/09) - The North Texas women's basketball team had hoped to close the decade in style, but UALR had other plans in a 78-39 Trojan victory on New Year's Eve.
The Mean Green (4-10, 1-2 Sun Belt) was late to the party, as UALR (9-5, 2-1 Sun Belt) jetted out to an 18-2 lead on the strength of five offensive rebounds and four NT turnovers in the game's first seven minutes. North Texas never recovered as the Trojans tallied 23 points off turnovers and 19 second-chance points.
NT simply gave a hungry UALR team too many chances. The Trojans shot 42 percent from the floor, but forced 19 NT turnovers and grabbed 14 offensive rebounds. UALR was also 28-of-35 from the free throw stripe by forcing 24 North Texas fouls.
Brittney James and Denetra Kellum led the Mean Green scoring effort with 12 and 11 apiece, but the Trojans countered with 17 points from Kim Sitzmann and a double-double from Chastity Reed.
North Texas trailed 35-20 at the halftime break, which ties for its lowest first-half output of the season.
Brittney Hudson made her return to the floor for the Mean Green. The sophomore missed seven games with a knee injury and tallied four points and an assist. Chynna Burwell and Raquel Cuffie both earned their first starts in a Mean Green uniform.
The Mean Green returns to action on Saturday across the Natural State at Arkansas State. Tip off from the Convocation Center is slated for 3 p.m.
