North Texas State opened up the biggest lead of the game, 62-53, on a free throw by Colin Voss with 35 seconds left to play.
Delaware State started quickly, opening up a 9-3 lead on two three-point shots by Haywood and one by Bell.
North Texas responded with a 12-0 run, and pulled ahead 15-9 on a three-ball by Jordan Williams with 13:31 left in the first half. Williams led the Mean Green with 17 points.
The Hornets ran off nine straight points later in the half, five by Gray and four from Williams, to take a 27-21 lead.
Delaware State was 21-for-52 from the field (41.2%), including eight-of-21 from beyond the arc (38.1%).
North Texas hit 22 of its 54 shots from the field (40.7%), including six from three-point range (6-21; 28.6%).
The Mean Green won the rebound battle, 36-32. North Texas was averaging 50 rebounds per game entering the contest.
Read more: http://www.wboc.com/story/27436815/late-second-half-run-by-mean-green-sends-hornets-to-first-loss