Brief: Men’s basketball team closes non-conference play on four-game win streak

Faye Darku / Intern Writer

The Mean Green men’s basketball team extended its winning streak to four with a 76-72 victory over the University of California, Riverside on Saturday afternoon in the Super Pit.

In a game that UNT (9-5) held the lead during the first half and much of the second half, UC Riverside (5-9) went on a 23-9 run and came back from a 14 point deficit to tie the game at 58-58 with seven minutes to go.

After the Mean Green built another lead, Riverside went on an 8-4 run capped with a three-pointer by Highlanders junior guard Nick Gruninger to pull them within 73-70. But the Highlanders couldn’t complete the comeback and sophomore forward Maurice Aniefiok made a layup with five seconds left to secure the win.

Mean Green senior guard Brandan Walton made four three-point shots to finish the game with a total of 14 points. Junior forward Colin Voss also contributed with eight points and 10 rebounds.

This game marked the end of non-conference play, as the team will now prepare for its first game as a member of Conference USA at 7 p.m. at the Super Pit on Thursday against the University of Southern Mississippi.