NT sports desk on Mens BB exhib win

[OldTimer]

Five NT Players Score in Double Figures in 94-71 Exhibition Win

DENTON (11/6/03) -- In his debut in a Mean Green uniform, junior transfer Michael Jones registered a double-double and was one of five players to score in double figures as North Texas raced past Dallas Slam, 94-71, in a men's exhibition basketball game Thursday night at the Super Pit.

Jones, a 6-7 forward, scored 14 points and grabbed a team-leading 11 rebounds to help lead the Mean Green to a win in the first of two exhibition games the team will play prior to the opening of the 2003-04 season.

Sophomore Ty Thomas led the Mean Green with 17 points and was joined in double figures by junior Marqus Mitchell with 15, Jones and senior Will Smith with 14 and sophomore Justin Barnett with 11.

Thomas, Barnett and sophomore Ron Harris also contributed eight rebounds each, helping North Texas to a dominating 59-32 edge on the boards.

Jones connected on six of 12 field goals, including one three-pointer, to notch his 14 points. In addition to his team-high 11 rebounds, Jones also led the team with five assists. Thomas reached his team-leading 17 points on eight of 10 shooting.

North Texas controlled the game from the start, posting a 43-30 lead by halftime. The Mean Green shot 51 percent (41-80) for the game compared to the Slam's 35 percent.

The Mean Green will host its final exhibition game against the Texas Blue Chips next Friday, Nov. 14, at the Super Pit at 8:00 p.m. in the second game of a doubleheader with the women's team.