North Texas men move into first place in Conference USA with seventh straight win

The North Texas men’s basketball team pushed its win streak to seven games on Thursday and moved into sole possession of first place in Conference USA. A Mean Green team that started the season at 2-5 with several fresh faces on the roster has finally come together at just the right time.

North Texas’ defense has been a key catalyst for the hot streak, but on Thursday the Mean Green nearly hit triple digits in a 98-78 home victory over UT San Antonio.

North Texas shot 55 percent against UT San Antonio and led by 14 points at halftime. Sophomore guard Umoja Gibson led five Mean Green players in double figures with a season-high 27 points and junior guard Javion Hamlet added 22 points and six assists. Junior forward Thomas Bell had a big game off the bench with 11 points and a career-high 15 rebounds. Junior guard James Reese added a career-high 18 points.

“We’re feeling good but we know we still have a long way to go,” Hamlet said, “and we haven’t accomplished anything until we’re holding a championship trophy.”

The Mean Green also won by 20 points on Monday at home in a 79-59 victory over Rice.

Last Saturday, North Texas beat Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La., for the first time since 1952. Hamlet made about an 8-footer at the buzzer to give North Texas a 51-50 victory.

North Texas (13-8, 7-1) is now one win ahead of second-place Western Kentucky (13-6, 6-1) in Conference USA. Western Kentucky won at home against North Texas to open conference play Jan. 2.

Before Thursday’s win, North Texas had held five consecutive opponents to fewer than 60 points. North Texas’ seven-game conference winning streak is its longest since winning eight in a row to end the 2009-10 regular season. That was the last season North Texas reached the NCAA Tournament.

North Texas plays again at home at 5 p.m. Saturday against UT El Paso. The Mean Green’s final three road conference games come against teams with a combined league record of 4-18.

UTA women face key Sun Belt road game Saturday at Troy

The UT Arlington women’s basketball team can take over sole possession of first place in the Sun Belt Conference on Saturday with a win at Troy.

UTA (12-7, 6-1) and Troy (15-3, 6-1) are tied atop the Sun Belt with Coastal Carolina (15-2, 5-1) only one win behind. Troy is 7-1 at home this year.

The Lady Mavericks won their third consecutive game on Thursday at South Alabama, 68-45. Sophomore center Misty Dossey led UTA with 14 points in only 20 minutes. Sophomore guard Claire Chastain added 13 points off the bench, and senior forward Marie Benson had another double-double with 10 points and 16 rebounds. UTA held South Alabama to 13 points in the second half.

UTA won at home last Saturday over Louisiana-Monroe, 72-34, behind senior guard Aysia Evans’ 20 points in only 22 minutes. Benson added 18 points and 10 rebounds in 19 minutes.

UTA men look to extend road winning streak to three

The UTA men’s basketball team has won back-to-back road Sun Belt games heading into a match-up at rival Texas State on Saturday.

Texas State is the hottest team in the Sun Belt right now having won four consecutive games after starting league play 1-4. The Mavericks (8-12, 4-5) have a chance to salvage their season if they can finish strong in conference play. They’re only two games back of second place.

UTA was really sharp on the road last Saturday in a 78-58 victory at Louisiana-Monroe. Brian Warren and Radshad Davis each scored 19 points off the bench for the Mavericks. Davis also had 14 rebounds, including eight offensive boards.

After facing Texas State, UTA will play seven of its final 10 Sun Belt games at home at College Park Center.

North Texas women win back-to-back Conference USA game

The North Texas women’s basketball team won its second consecutive Conference USA game Thursday at UT San Antonio 79-55.

Junior guard Summer Jones scored a career-high 21 points and senior center Anisha George had 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead North Texas to the win.

Freshmen guard N’Yah Boyd (13 points, seven rebounds and six assists) and Randi Thompson (11 points) also played well for the Mean Green.

North Texas (9-10, 3-4) also won last Saturday at home over Louisiana Tech, 74-69, in overtime. George led the way with 22 points on 10-for-12 shooting and nine rebounds, and Boyd added 15 points.

The Mean Green will play Saturday afternoon at UT El Paso.