North Texas Daily

Reece Waddell | Senior Staff Writer

@ReeceTapout15

The North Texas men’s basketball team traveled to the University of Texas at Arlington on Thursday night and lost its fifth straight game, falling 90-67.

The Mean Green (2-5) never led in the game, despite erasing an early 17 point deficit. The first half comeback was due in large part to a 20-6 run sparked by the three point shooting of junior guard Deckie Johnson and junior guard Carrington Ward.

But the Mavericks (6-2) were too much for North Texas to handle and finished the game shooting 53 percent from the floor and 47 percent from beyond the arc. Five UTA players finished in double figures, with sophomore center Kevin Hervey leading all scorers with 20 points. He flirted with a triple-double, adding 15 rebounds and 7 assists.

Missed free throws killed Mean Green all game as North Texas ended a dismal 33 percent from the charity stripe. UT Arlington took advantage of the missed opportunities and extended its lead back to 10, taking a 52-42 lead into the intermission.

North Texas only had three players in double figures and were led by the duo of Johnson and junior guard J-Mychal Reese, who both finished with 16 points.

Things did not get any better for the Mean Green in the second half. A three-plus minute scoring drought  put North Texas in a 69-55 hole. In that span, North Texas went one of six from the floor, which allowed the Mavericks to nearly gain back the 17 point advantage it had in the first half. Hervey was a big reason why, as the sophomore repeatedly torched the Mean Green all night.

He was also crucial in a UT Arlington pulling away down the stretch, as the Mavericks took a large second half lead and never looked back.

Next Up: North Texas takes on Southern Illinois University at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at home.

Featured Image: Junior guard Deckie Johnson (10) dribbles around a Southern Illinois defender. Dylan Nadwodny | Staff Photographer