Ranking the top five most exciting North Texas sports games of 2016

[Skipper]

For North Texas athletics, 2016-2017 marked a year of substantial improvement in two of three major sports, as both the football and women’s basketball team took big steps in the right direction.

The men’s basketball team was a disappointment in Tony Benford’s final season as head coach, but freshmen Ryan Woolridge and A.J. Lawson provided flashes of greatness throughout the year.

With the three major sports in the book, the North Texas Daily is taking a look back at the five most exciting games of the year.

5. Women’s basketball – North Texas 58, UTSA 55 (OT)

Prior to this season, the Mean Green women’s basketball program hadn’t won an overtime game since the 2007 season. This win over the University of Texas at San Antonio marked the third time this year, all on the road, that the Mean Green walked away with a win in an extra period.

North Texas trailed by three with less than two minutes to go and sharpshooter Candice Adams had an open look from behind the 3-point line that would have tied the game late in the fourth quarter.

Uncharacteristically, Adams misfired. It looked as though UTSA was going to hold on for the win.

But after Kelsey Criner knocked down two free throws to bring the game back within three with just seven seconds remaining, Adams got her chance at redemption. In a play that was eerily similar to the Mean Green’s last second win over Southern Methodist University at the Super Pit a year ago, Adams got the ball on a drive and kick-out pass with a chance to send the game to overtime.

This time, she knocked it down and gave North Texas the energy and momentum needed to come away with a win in OT. The win marked the fifth straight for the Mean Green, giving Mitchell’s team its longest winning streak since the 2013 season.

Game recap: Matt Brune | Staff Writer
http://ntdaily.com/womens-basketball-knocks-off-utsa-in-ot-extends-win-streak-to-five/

4. Men’s basketball – San Diego 69, North Texas 68

It’s tough seeing a loss among the most exciting games of the year, but it won’t be the last game on the list that resulted in heartbreak for the Mean Green. At this point in the season, there was still some hope that the team could get going. North Texas entered the game against University of San Diego with a 6-5 record and had the opportunity to go to two games over .500 before the holiday break.

Of course, that didn’t happen.

North Texas and San Diego exchange words following the game. San Diego won on a controversial charge call, ending the game 69-68. Colin Mitchell

Some might say this was when the season began to completely derail. The Mean Green trailed by as many as 20 points in the game but stormed back to take a two-point lead with 28 seconds left. Somehow, the defense managed to leave Olin Carter III wide open on the 3-point line on the ensuing possession, and Carter hit a go-ahead 3-pointer to reclaim the lead with seven seconds left.

That’s when the madness began. J-Mychal Reese grabbed the inbounds pass for North Texas and sprinted down the court, hitting a short runner with one second left to seemingly win the game. However, Reese was called for a questionable charge that negated the basket and effectively ended the game.

The call – and the exchange of words that followed – ignited one of the few postgame scuffles in recent memory on the court. It was a heartbreaking finish, but it was still one of the most exciting games at the Super Pit. The loss was the start of an 11-game losing streak for the Mean Green.

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[UNTLifer]

That picture of Combs tackling Bradshaw is tough.  Surprised Bradshaw walked away normally after that shot to the cods.

Edited March 30, 2017 by UNTLifer

[southsideguy]

notice the mens games were mostly losses.  San Diego might one of the most disappointing games I have seen.

[Rudy]

1. Benford's last game

2. Benford's last game

3. Benford's last game

4. Benford's last game

5. Benford's last game

[UNTFan23]

On 4/2/2017 at 8:05 AM, southsideguy said:

notice the mens games were mostly losses.  San Diego might one of the most disappointing games I have seen.

I feel like the team fell apart after that game. It was the start of an 11 game losing streak.