Williams’ three-pointers lead men’s basketball past Trojans
Ryne Gannoe / Senior Staff Writer
Sophomore guard Jordan Williams made seven of nine three-point shots in the Mean Green’s 63-61 victory over Troy University (11-16, 6-10).
Williams has established his leadership for UNT (10-18, 5-12) over the course of the season. He leads the Mean Green in scoring with 14.1 points per game and has led in scoring for six of the last eight games. Head coach Tony Benford said Williams has improved greatly since the start of the season.
“Jordan has improved his shot since the beginning of the year, and then I think confidence plays a factor,” Benford said. “Jordan missed half the season last year, now he’s getting a complete season under his belt.”
Williams said his success comes from extra time working on fundamentals and getting settled into the season.
“I’m feeling really good about it,” Williams said. “It’s just me being in the gym and taking open shots and not forcing shots. The first half of the season, I was getting back into the groove. In the second half of the season, I’ve been playing in that groove.”
Even with William’s success, the game was decided at the buzzer. Troy junior guard Jeff Mullahey took a shot from beyond the three-point line in the game’s final seconds, but it hit the inside of the hoop and bounced out, leaving UNT on top.
Troy out-rebounded UNT 30-28, but Trojan head coach Don Maestri said its offense lacked consistency.
“We could never get into a flow offensively,” Maestri said. “We struggled all night in getting a rhythm, but credit goes to North Texas on throwing us off a step.”
In the game, the lead changed 16 times and the score was tied 12 times. Benford said the team’s confidence is improving.
“It was a tough game to play because Coach Maestri was going for his 500th win,” Benford said. “We got paint touches, and then when we didn’t have them we kicked some out to Jordan and he made shots. He carried us that game.”
The Mean Green has three games left before the Sun Belt Conference tournament. UNT faces Florida Atlantic University at 7 p.m. on Thursday in the Super Pit. In its last meeting with the Owls, the Mean Green won 61-59 in overtime.
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