Reno, NV (11/17/01) - Shannan Stephenson scored a career-high 24 points against Memphis on Saturday night, leading the North Texas women’s basketball team (1-1) past the Lady Tigers (0-2), 75-70, in the consolation game of the Nevada Bell Classic.

North Texas, who trailed 13-20 midway through the first half, was able to regain the lead, 28-27, for the first time since the opening minutes of the game with 1:57 left in the half. The Lady Eagles didn’t give up the lead after that point and took a 36-29 lead into halftime. North Texas gradually opened up a 13-point lead with just over four minutes left in the game and despite the Lady Tigers pulling within three points of the Lady Eagles with 30 seconds left, was able to ice the game off two free throws by Rosalyn Reades (Sr.; G; Arlington, Tex.) and Angel Lewis (Jr.; F; Cedar Hill, Tex.).

"Memphis is a strong program," said North Texas head coach Tina Slinker. "They have been to the WNIT the past several years and to the NCAA Tournament before that, so this was a good win for us."

Stephenson (Sr.; F; Winchester, Tenn.) and Jalie Mitchell (Sr.; G; Duncanville, Tex.) both reached double-figure’s in the scoring column for the second straight game, pacing the Lady Eagles offense. Mitchell finished with 15 points and had seven rebounds, tying Lewis for the team high. Lewis also had 10 points and tied Yogi Broussard for the most assists by a North Texas player with four.

"Shannan matched up well with there athletic post players and did a good job on both ends tonight," said Slinker. "Yogi (Broussard), Vilma (Grismanauskaite) and Karolyn (Haskin) came in and played well off the bench. We got to use our depth tonight and it really helped us."

Eleven North Texas players saw at least nine minutes of playing time and all 11 either scored, grabbed a rebound, registered a steal or dished out an assist.