North Texas Daily

Women’s basketball lost their second straight game to the University of North Carolina-Charlotte by a score of 69-61 on the road Saturday.

While North Texas (9-15, 6-8 Conference-USA) cut the deficit down to seven points in the fourth period, the late-game rally fell just short. 

“Offensively, we needed to finish better,” Head coach Jalie Mitchell said.

In a contest in which the Mean Green trailed by 20 in the fourth, they managed to shoot 48 percent from the field, 45 percent from 3-point range and had three players in double-digit scoring efforts. 

“I thought we let the game get away from us,” Mitchell said. “The foul trouble hurt us in the first half from the standpoint of just who we needed to be on the floor for us.”

North Texas had 11 fouls in the first half of the game and the starters combined for 13 fouls for the whole game — the team had 21 translating to a 16-19 free-throw attempts for the 49ers (11-12, 7-7). 

Freshman guard Jaaucklyn Moore scored 17 points off the bench on 66.7 percent shooting from the field and two 3-pointers. 

The Mean Green started the first quarter with a 10-2 run and had a six-point advantage entering the second quarter. Senior guard Quincy Noble scored nine points in the period.

Responding immediately, the 49ers went on a 14-0 run and scored the first 12 points of the second period. Charlotte ended up outscoring North Texas 22-7 and had a nine-point advantage entering the second half. 

The Mean Green were outscored 44-19 in the second and third periods and struggled from the field, shooting 6-19 and 8-6 from the free throw line. 

“We missed too many opportunities, just like [on] Thursday whether it be layups or from the free throw line — for us to cut into leads, we have to make free throws,” Mitchell said. “We lose all the momentum and energy when we step to the line and miss free throws like that.”

North Texas went on a 10-1 run to conclude the third quarter and drew within seven in the fourth. However, the team was unable to overcome the deficit, losing by eight points on the road. 

Senior guard Quincy Noble had 16 points in her 21st double-digit scoring performance this season, along with four rebounds and one steal on 46.1 percent shooting from the field.

Sophomore guard Kendall McGruder scored 13 points 66.7 percent shooting from the field and went 3-4 from beyond the 3-point line.  

The Mean Green return to action Thursday night at home, facing Louisiana Tech University (14-10, 7-7) in a midweek tilt. 

Featured Image Sophomore forward Aniyah Johnson takes a free throw during a game against Rice University at the Superpit on Feb. 4, 2023. Photo by Lindy Jenkins