North Texas men finally benefiting from tough non-conference schedule

The North Texas men’s basketball team is finally reaping the benefits from playing one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation.

The Mean Green won their fourth consecutive Conference USA game Thursday night at Southern Mississippi, 72-52, and now face a big challenge Saturday at Louisiana Tech.

North Texas took its lumps during non-conference play, losing to three ranked teams. But now the Mean Green are near the top of the conference standings.

North Texas (10-8, 4-1) is tied for second place in Conference USA with Louisiana Tech (13-4), Western Kentucky and Florida Atlantic. All four teams trail first-place Charlotte (10-5, 4-0).

North Texas’ defense has really picked up in conference play and was sharp again Thursday, holding Southern Mississippi to only 18 second-half points. It was North Texas’ first win at Southern Miss since 1971.

The Mean Green shot 49 percent from the field and were led in scoring by Umoja Gibson’s 17 points. James Reese added 13 points for North Texas, and Javion Hamlet also finished with 13 points and 10 assists.

“Early in the game, [Hamlet] made all the right plays,” North Texas coach Grant McCasland said. “He was dealing, and when he’s dealing, guys are getting good looks and our team is fantastic. I’m proud of the entire team.”

North Texas won at home last Saturday against Florida Atlantic, 81-58. The Mean Green shot 57 percent from the field and four starters scored in double figures. Hamlet led the way with 20 points and Reese added 16.

North Texas is in the middle of a three-games-in-five-days stretch. After playing at Louisiana Tech on Saturday, the Mean Green return home Monday night to host Rice. The Mean Green haven’t won at Louisiana Tech since 1952.

UTA women rebound from first Sun Belt Conference loss

The UT Arlington women’s basketball team bounced back well from its first Sun Belt Conference loss of the season.

Senior forward Marie Benson scored a career-high 30 points Thursday to lead UTA to a 79-52 win over Louisiana at College Park Center. Benson, a transfer from UT San Antonio, was 10-for-11 from the field and 10-of-11 from the free-throw line and added seven rebounds. UTA shot 52.6 percent and held Louisiana to only 30.2 percent shooting.

The Lady Mavericks (10-7, 4-1) are now in a four-way tie for first place in the Sun Belt with Coastal Carolina, Troy and Arkansas State. Seven teams are within one game of each other at the top of the Sun Belt standings.

UTA’s only Sun Belt loss came last Saturday at Coastal Carolina, 62-56. The Lady Mavericks are back at home at 2 p.m. Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe.

UTA men get much-needed Sun Belt Conference road win

The UTA men’s basketball team took advantage of a short-handed Louisiana team Thursday to win on the road, 81-65.

The Mavericks (7-12, 3-5) never trailed against Louisiana, which was without several key players because of injuries. Four UTA players scored in double figures, led by TiAndre Jackson-Young’s 18 points off the bench. Senior forward Jabari Narcis contributed a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

UTA senior point guard Brian Warren didn’t start for the first time all year and scored only two points in 18 minutes. He’s struggled all season and is shooting only 24 percent from 3-point range.

“We played smart, intelligent basketball and made the right plays, the right passes and knocked down shots,” UTA coach Chris Ogden said. “We acted like the veteran team that we are, and that was good to see.”

UTA lost at home last Saturday to Coastal Carolina, 82-77. The Mavericks play Saturday afternoon at Louisiana-Monroe.

North Texas women continue to struggle in Conference USA play

The North Texas women’s basketball team lost its fourth consecutive Conference USA game Thursday night at home against Southern Mississippi, 65-57.

North Texas (7-10, 1-4) turned the ball over 19 times and was outscored, 18-9, in the fourth quarter. Freshman guard Randi Thompson led the Mean Green in scoring with 15 points and senior center Anisha George added 13 off the bench.

North Texas lost last Saturday at Florida Atlantic, 84-78, in double overtime. The Mean Green are back home at 3 p.m. Saturday to host Louisiana Tech.