DENTON (1/28/06) The North Texas women’s basketball team remained in first place of the Sun Belt Conference West Division after defeating South Alabama, 66-57, on Saturday night in the Super Pit.

The Mean Green (15-5, 5-3 Sun Belt) could take over sole possession of the first-place position depending on the outcome of the Louisiana-Lafayette game. North Texas extends its record against the Jaguars to 10-2.

North Texas scored seven unanswered points at the end of the first half to enter intermission ahead, 33-23, after the two teams kept it close for most of the opening minutes. The Mean Green was able to extend the 10-point lead to as many as 16 points in the second half and then held onto a nine-point victory.

Mian Williams led all scorers with 14 points. She was 4-for-6 from the field, 3-for-3 from three-point range and 3-for-4 from the free-point line. After going 0-2 as a team from three-point line in the first half, North Texas opened the second half with four three-pointers in the first 10 minutes. Williams hit back-to-back three-pointers to give North Texas a 14-point lead, 54-40, with 9:55 left in the game.

Amber Jackson and Talicia Sanders combined for six blocks in the game. The team recorded a season-high seven blocks against South Alabama. With her three blocks, Sanders moved into ninth place all-time on North Texas’ career blocks list with 47.

Senior Erika Bobo also had a career day with seven points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals. With her three steals, Bobo moved into sole possession of fourth place on the Mean Green career list for steals with 204.

Freshman Tricia Lee came off the bench to help out with five points. Lee scored five of the final seven points in the first half to help North Texas jump ahead of South Alabama.

North Texas shot 40.4 percent from the field in the game and held USA to 26.7 percent shooting in the first half.

The Mean Green continues its five-game home stand with a Thursday night matchup against Louisiana-Lafayette on Feb. 2 at 7 pm.