DENTON, Texas (12/5/08) - Down 21 points to New Mexico State with just over 13 minutes remaining in the second half, Collin Dennis poured in 19 points in a seven minute span to vault North Texas to a 75-72 win over the Aggies last year in Las Cruces. Dennis’ performance completed the largest comeback win in school history, and set the stage for Saturday’s rematch at the Super Pit.
The Aggies are coming off a 100-79 loss at Kansas, and are picked to finish third in the Western Athletic Conference after falling in triple overtime to Boise State in last year’s WAC title game. Tyshawn Taylor led 12 Jayhawks in scoring with 23 points, and Jahmar Young led four Aggies in double figures with 17 points. Jonathan Gibson torched the Jayhawks with 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting, including 4-of-9 from deep, along four assists and four steals.
New Mexico State and NT share a rich rivalry that spans three conferences and 57 years. NMSU and NT were conference foes in the Sun Belt (2000-05) the Big West (1996-99) and the Missouri Valley (1972-75). The Aggies hold a 19-8 advantage in the all-time series, but North Texas has won the last three meetings including last year.
NMSU lost five seniors from last year’s WAC regular-season championship squad, but was still picked third in the league’s preseason poll. The Aggies fell in 3-OT to Boise State in the WAC title game, narrowly missing a second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.
The game can be heard on the Mean Green Radio Network (George Dunham and Hank Dickenson, 88.1 KNTU-FM and 100.7 KWRD-FM) and can be seen on ESPN 360.
What To Watch For
Tristan Thompson’s 20-point effort against Sam Houston State on Wednesday night was one for the ages. The sophomore became the first player in recorded North Texas history to have a perfect shooting night (minimum five attempts from the field and free throw line). Thompson was 6-of-6 from the floor, 2-of-2 from 3-point and 6-of-6 from the stripe.
North Texas struggled early from the free throw line against Sam Houston State, but rallied down the stretch to earn the win. The Mean Green shot 58.3 percent for the game, missing 6-of-8 free throws to close out the first half. The second half was a different story, with NT hitting 12 of its last 14 to clinch the victory.
Harold Stewart recorded his 60th career block at North Texas against Sam Houston State, which moves the senior into a tie with Will Smith (2000-04) for sixth all-time. The Fort Worth native ranks fourth on the squad with four swats this year after tallying 17 last season. North Texas has started the season at 5-2 for a third straight year, which ties for the best start by a Mean Green squad since 1977-78. NT has been nearly unbeatable at home since 2005-06, posting a 42-9 (82.4 percent) record over that span. North Texas has won 19 of its last 21 games at home, including its last seven.
Eric Tramiel leads the Sun Belt in field goal percentage with a 70.0 percent mark from the floor. Tramiel has hit 21-of-30 shots through seven games.
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