North Texas Daily

Torie Mosley | Staff Writer

@toriemosley

A high-flying Mean Green offense blew out the visiting Texas College Steers 110-61, making it the first time since 1979 North Texas has recorded back-to-back 100 point wins.

North Texas junior guard Carrington Ward (0) makes a layup after a breakaway against Texas College. Nathan Roberts | Contributing Photographer

North Texas (2-0) started the game with an up tempo offense, moving the ball up and down the court on fast breaks and getting to the line. Forward Jeremy Combs led North Texas early in the first half with four quick points and a block. Freshman forward Khalil Fuller controlled the glass for the Mean Green with three early boards along with four points as well with North Texas leading 22-11 after the first nine minutes of the game.

Junior guard Deandre Harris subbed into the game moments later and hit two three-pointers to extend the Mean Green lead to 31-18 with just under eight minutes left in the opening half. Harris scored 12 points in seven minutes, and junior guard Deckie Johnson came in the game to hit a shot from downtown as well to put North Texas up 44-28 with 2:30 left in the half.

North Texas sophomore forward Jeremy Combs (1) posterizes a defender on a dunk against Texas College. Nathan Roberts | Contributing Photographer

Junior guard J-Mychal Reese helped spread the ball for North Texas on offense with five first half assists. Guards Allante Holston and Carrington Ward kept the pressure on Texas College with a first half takeaway each.

The Mean Green went to the locker room up 50-34 at the half. Combs’ 13 points led the team followed by Harris’ 12.

North Texas junior guard Deckie Johnson (10) follows through on a layup against Texas College. Nathan Roberts | Contributing Photographer

The North Texas defense came to play, forcing two shot clock violations in the second half. A chase down block from behind by Harris gave the team an extra burst of momentum and sparked tons of praise from the home crowd with 12 minutes left in the final half.

Freshman Center Rickey Brice Jr. and the North Texas defense had a block party all night, with Brice finishing with three of the Mean Green’s six swatted shots. The home team’s defense also forced ten steals throughout the game, with Texas College finishing with zero.

The next challenge for the Mean Green comes next week when North Texas hosts the University of Idaho in the first of three games of the Mean Green Challenge.

Featured Image: North Texas freshman guard Allante Holston (5) passes to the corner for an assist against Texas College. Nathan Roberts | Contributing Photographer