DENTON, Texas (11/23/07) Tied at the break, North Texas opened up the second half on a 13-0 run and never looked back as the Mean Green recorded its fifth straight victory with a 70-60 win over Midwestern State Friday night at the Super Pit.
For the second time in as many games, Amber Jackson and Brittney James led North Texas as the duo combined for nearly half of the Mean Green’s 70 points. Two nights after posting a career-high 23 points, Jackson tallied a game-high 19 against the Mustangs. James, a sophomore from Orange, Texas, recorded 15 points, knocking down three of the Mean Green’s five 3-pointers.
“Amber and Brittney have been very consistent for us so far this season,” said North Texas head coach Tina Slinker. “I’d like to see us get some help on the inside, but they’re really helping us out.”
Midwestern State jumped out to a quick 10-4 lead to start the game and led by as many as eight in the early going. North Texas grabbed an 18-17 edge on a jumper by Jackson with 10 minutes remaining in the half. The Mustangs pulled ahead late in the first half thanks to an 11-2 run, but the Mean Green scored the last four points to tie the game at 37-37 heading into the break.
For the game, North Texas shot 40 percent from the floor and 36 percent from beyond the arc. The Mean Green controlled the boards, out-rebounding the under-sized Mustangs 50-31.
The Mean Green will next head to Norman, Okla., to square off against the No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners, Tuesday night. North Texas will return back to the Super Pit Dec. 1 as they host SMU, followed by Marshall on Dec. 4.
“We’re really going to get tested with the next five upcoming games,” Slinker said. “December is really going to show us where we really stand.”