Womens BB wins 63-55 over Sam Houston St. Now

[OldTimer]

NT Women Hold Off Sam Houston State, 63-55

DENTON (11/25/03) -- North Texas scored the game's final six points to pull away from Sam Houston State and take a 63-55 non-conference victory in NT's 2003-04 home opener Tuesday night at the Super Pit.

In what was the Bearkats' season opener, Sam Houston cut the game to a two-point NT lead at 57-55 with 1:59 left before North Texas responded with the game's final six points -- on a Jamie Armstrong lay-up and free throws by Jill Medlock and Mia Williams -- to claim its second win of the young season.

North Texas improves to 2-1 while SHSU is 0-1.

Armstrong and senior forward Kim Blanton sparked North Texas with double-double performances. Blanton finished with a team-leading 17 points and 11 rebounds while Armstrong, a sophomore guard, chipped in with 15 points and 11 boards. Medlock also scored in double figures for North Texas with 12 points.

It was a tight game most of the way, with North Texas breaking out to a quick 9-0 lead before Sam Houston bouncing back with a 20-3 run over the next nine minutes to take a 20-12 lead. North Texas eventually tied the game with 4:21 left in the first half and went on to post a 27-22 lead at halftime.

In the second half, the Bearkats fought back and got to within two points at 35-33 with 11:15 left, but NT answered by battling back and widening the gap to 10 points at 52-42 with 6:17 on the clock. SHSU outscored NT 13-5 over the next four minutes to cut the margin to 57-55 with just under two minutes to go.

North Texas, which finished as the runner-up at the Indiana Tournament last weekend, is scheduled to participate in the Binghamton Time Warner Tournament this weekend at Binghamton, New York. NT opens tournament play on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. against Canisius.

- Box Score

[CMJ]

Promising start for the ladies.