Denton (2/21/02)  Jalie Mitchell scored a game-high 22 points and broke the North Texas school record for points in a career to lead the Lady Eagles (18-7, 11-3) to a 92-49 thumping of New Orleans (10-16, 6-8) in Sun Belt Conference action Thursday night.

Mitchell (Sr.; F; Duncanville, Tex.) needed just 14 points entering the game to break the former school record of 1,687 points, held by Isalene Jones (1980-84).  With her 22-point effort against UNO, she now has 1,696 points for her career.  

The Lady Eagles grabbed a double-figure lead, 14-4, just seven minutes into the game and never looked back.  North Texas gradually increased its lead through the rest of the first half and ended the first 20 minutes of action with a 42-21 advantage.  The Lady Eagles outscored New Orleans 50-28 in the second half to claim the 43-point win.

The victory extended the Lady Eagles school-record home winning streak to 13 games and gave North Texas the Sun Belt Conference West Division’s No. 1 seed in the league tournament.

Nicole Thomas (Sr.; G; Dallas, Tex.) went over 1,000 points for her career on the night, scoring nine points in the game and pushing her career total to 1,005.  Thomas became just the ninth player in school history to break the 1,000-point barrier.

Rosalyn Reades (Sr.; G; Arlington, Tex.) dished out 10 assists in the game, tying her career high.  The 5-5 guard also finished with five rebounds, four points and three steals.

Vilma Grismanauskaite (Jr.; P; Siauliai, Lithuania) and Heather Trout (So.; G; Denver City, Tex.) each scored 12 points to round out the North Texas players scoring in double figures.  Yolanda White led New Orleans with a team-best 13 points.

North Texas dominated the boards, outrebounding UNO 51-31, and hit 50 percent of its shots in comparison to just 28 percent for the Privateers.

North Texas closes out the regular season this Saturday with a home game against South Alabama.  The game is scheduled to get under way at 7 PM.

NORTH TEXAS PLAYER QUOTES

JALIE MITCHELL, Sr. Guard

(On breaking the school scoring record)

“At the start of the season, I didn’t really think I could do it.   I am very proud.  This is a great honor.  My teammates have supported me and I could not have done it without them.”

(On her four years at North Texas)

“As a freshman I had a specific role.  As time moved on my role expanded to where it is now.  It is challenging sometimes, but I feel comfortable with it now.”  

(On tonight’s win)

“We had a tough time with them in new Orleans.  We won by six, so we weren’t expecting this type of game tonight.  Winning is always a good thing.  We have clinched the Western Division a first round bye in the Sunbelt Conference Tournament.”

ROSALYN READES, Sr. Point Guard

(On Playing with Jalie Mitchell)

“I played AAU basketball with Jalie before we came to North Texas.  She is a great player.  I feel comfortable getting her the ball anywhere on the floor.  She is an excellent finisher.”

NICOLE THOMAS, Sr Guard

(On scoring 1000 points)

“It feels good.  It was a long time coming.  I have been close for a long time.  I am glad I finally got it out of the way.”

TINA SLINKER QUOTES

(On Jalie Mitchell)

“When I hugged her after the basket, I told here she had done what she set out to do as a freshman. It is a great credit to her and how great a player she is.”

“Our bench was the difference tonight, especially in the first half.  Our transition game was very difficult for them tonight.”