Noland’s Career High Performance Leads UNT To 75-64 Win

Coach Andy Mac · November 12, 2023

Behind career highs from CJ Noland and Rubin Jones, the UNT men’s basketball team improved to 2-0 on the year with a 75-64 win over Omaha on Saturday at the Super Pit.

Noland scored a career-high 18 points and Rubin Jones dished out a career-high eight assists in the 11-point win. Coming off his 26-point performance in the season opener on Tuesday, Aaron Scott also scored 18 points versus the Mavericks (1-2) as he and Noland led all scorers.

“Omaha is a solid team,” Jones said. “They really challenged us and hit shots but guys like CJ (Noland) stepped up big and led us tonight.”

Twenty of UNO’s 64 points on Saturday came at the free throw line as they finished 20-of-25 from the charity stripe. The Mean Green led the entire game for a one minute and 12-second stretch during the first half and seemed to start to pull away from Omaha when their lead grew to 18 right before halftime.

However, the Mavericks crept back into the game as a 7-0 run early in the second half got the deficit back to within single digits.

“We gave up way too many points in the second half,” Jones said. “We’ve got to be better defensively. Winning is never easy so we’re happy but we got to be better. And we will. We’re already way better than we were last game.”

Down the stretch Noland put an end to any Maverick runs and hopes of a comeback as he drained step back 3-pointers and scored physical baskets around the rim. The Mean Green newcomer scored 11 points in the season opening win on Tuesday, which tied his career previously set at his former school Oklahoma. On Saturday Noland scored 13 points in the final 11 minutes of the game to seal the win.

“Each day I’m getting more and more comfortable.” Noland said. “Rubin (Jones) has been a big part of that.”

In addition to Noland’s second half, the Mean Green were once again clutch at the free throw line. On Tuesday they made 13 of their final14 free throws. On Saturday they ended the game making seven of their final eight attempts at the line.

Saturday’s win is also the Mean Green’s seventh straight victory overall. It’s the nation’s second longest active winning streak behind reigning national champion UConn’s eight-game winning streak. Saturday was also North Texas’ 10th straight home win.

UNT hits the road next as they travel to Charleston, South Carolina for a Thursday showdown versus St. John’s in the first game of the Shriner’s Hospital Charleston Classic. Thursday’s game will be broadcast on ESPNU and the Mean Green Sports Network, presented by Learfield. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:30 PM CT.

QUICK NOTES

UNT held Omaha to just 26 first-half points.
UNT held Omaha leading scorer Frankie Fidler to seven points on 2-of-7 shooting.
Aaron Scott has had back-to-back games with at least three 3-pointers made. He started this season making seven of his first 10 attempts.
Aaron Scott recorded his 350th career rebound.
Freshman Alex Cotton made his collegiate debut.
Rubin Jones recorded his 180th assist.
Rubin Jones dished a single-game career high eight assists, previous high was seven.
CJ Noland recorded a collegiate career-high 18 points.
Rubin Jones scored his 650th career point during the game.
Three UNT players scored in double digits: Noland 18 points, Scott 18 points and Sissoko 10 points.
Robert Allen scored his 400th career field goal during the second half.

For more information on UNT men’s basketball season tickets, contact the Mean Green Ticket Office at 940-565-2527 or at ticketoffice@unt.edu. Fans can visit the UNT Athletics Ticket Office located at Gate 2 of DATCU Stadium between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.